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Stars are formed in dense regions of molecular clouds throughout interstellar space sometimes known as 'stellar-nurseries'. These interstellar clouds of gas are formed from the gasses of stellar remnants that have coalesced over millions of years. The clouds of gas are mostly composed of hydrogen ~70% (the most abundant element in the universe) and helium. Heavier elements are also found yet they are less abundant. (Refer to stellar nucleosynthesis for more information about the process of the creation of heavy elements).
Disturbances in these clouds eventually form proto-planetary disks over millions of years from which solar systems are formed.