What is the term for the birthplace of stars?

The term "Stellar Nebula" refers to a cloud of gas and dust in space where stars are born. These regions are also known as star-forming regions. In these nebulae, the gas and dust can collapse under gravity, leading to the formation of clumps that eventually become protostars. As the protostars accumulate more mass and heat up, nuclear fusion begins, marking the birth of a new star.

In contrast, planetary nebulae often represent the later stages of a star's life, specifically the phase where a star has shed its outer layers and leaves behind a core. Red giants are also stages in the life cycle of stars after they have exhausted the hydrogen in their cores. The Pillars of Creation is a specific region within a stellar nebula that has garnered significant attention due to its striking images, but it does not encompass the entire concept of where stars are born. Thus, the definition and function of a stellar nebula align perfectly with the idea of a star's birthplace.