Final answer:
The formation of stars can be better understood through infrared radiation because it allows us to see through the dense clouds that block visible light. Early stages of star formation, obscured by gas and dust, are more visible in infrared. To study molecular clouds and star formation, infrared or radio telescopes are favored over visible light telescopes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The observation of infrared radiation has significantly advanced our understanding of star formation. Infrared detectors can see through the dense clouds of gas and dust that obscure the view in visible light, making them invaluable in the study of molecular clouds where stars and planets form. In the various stages of a star's life, a star can be observed in visible light once the material that obscures it has been cleared away by stellar wind. Initially, during the early stages, stars and protostars are usually not visible in the light spectrum that we can see with our eyes, but they are identifiable in infrared wavelengths because infrared can penetrate areas that are dense with gas and dust. As for molecular clouds, visible light telescopes are ineffective due to these obstructions, hence why infrared or radio telescopes are typically used to study areas of star formation.