Nanocosmos are to build a machine, capable of creating interstellar dust grains, so they can build a star in their laboratory. 

Working with hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, silicon, titanium and other metals, the researchers are keen to emulate the conditions found in a real dying star, to try and create a man-made star in their lab.  So could we have man-made stars on earth in the future?

Astronomer Jose Cernicharo, who designed the project, admits it will be difficult to create a man-made star, but is perfectly achievable.  "The dust grains that form around dying stars are ejected to the interstellar medium where, after millions of years, they mix in new interstellar clouds which give birth to stars and planets, some like earth." he explained.

Installing three machines, two in Spain and one in France, the team of scientists will be able to research directly the effect that these particles have on the atmosphere and the conditions needed to give birth to new stars and planets.  The project will utilise over 40 engineers throughout the world, as well as the ALMA telescope in Chile and various astronomy telescopes around the world.  Cerchinaro said of the project: "We want to bring a star to the laboratory.  Obviously it's a very complicated project.  We are not going to reproduce the star itself, only the atmosphere."