Starless

Starless is an adjective meaning without stars. In astronomy and astrophysics, the term is used to describe objects or phases that do not contain detectable stellar sources. A starless core is a dense region within a molecular cloud that has not yet formed a protostar. Starless galaxies, when discussed, refer to systems whose visible light is not dominated by stars, either because star formation has not started or because the light is obscured by dust. The starless stage describes a period in which star formation has not yet occurred within a cloud or clump, preceding the birth of a protostar or stellar cluster.

In cultural contexts, Starless is the title of a well-known instrumental song by King Crimson, released in 1974 on the album Red. The piece is noted for its extended instrumental sections and its somber, moody character, illustrating how the term has been used to evoke a sense of emptiness or darkness.

The term may also appear in other works of music, literature, or film as a motif or title, reflecting themes associated with absence, void, or nighttime. While its primary technical usage lies in describing astrophysical objects and evolutionary stages, Starless has found broader cultural resonance as a poetic descriptor.