answersLogoWhite

0

If an interstellar cloud is massive enough that the gas pressure is insufficient to support it, the cloud will undergo gravitational collapse. The mass above which a cloud will undergo such collapse is called the Jeans mass. The Jeans mass depends on the temperature and density of the cloud, but is typically thousands to tens of thousands of solar masses. In so-called triggered star formation, one of several events might occur to compress a molecular cloud and initiate its gravitational collapse. Molecular clouds may collide with each other, or a nearby supernova explosion can be a trigger, sending shocked matter into the cloud at very high speeds. Finally, galactic collisions can trigger massive starbursts of star formation as the gas clouds in each galaxy are compressed and agitated by tidal forces.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

How is star formation related to spiral arms?

As interstellar clouds approach the spiral arm region it helps them to begin the collapsing process and eventually form a star.


What are spiral density waves responsible for?

They initiate new star formation. Therefore they are responsible for the formation of new stars.


What does two theories explain how the spiral arms are maintained?

Two primary theories explain how the spiral arms of galaxies are maintained: the density wave theory and the self-propagating star formation theory. The density wave theory posits that spiral arms are not made up of material but are instead regions of higher density that rotate around the galaxy, causing stars and gas to cluster and create the appearance of arms. The self-propagating star formation theory suggests that star formation occurs in waves, where the formation of new stars triggers further star formation in adjacent areas, leading to the development of spiral patterns over time. Both theories highlight the dynamic processes that contribute to the structure of spiral galaxies.


What do most stars form in spiral galaxys?

Most stars in spiral galaxies form in regions known as spiral arms, where gas and dust are denser. The gravitational interactions and compressive forces in these areas trigger the collapse of molecular clouds, leading to star formation. The ongoing star formation in these arms contributes to the vibrant, blue appearance characteristic of young, hot stars, while older stars can be found in the galaxy's central bulge and halo. This dynamic process also influences the overall structure and evolution of the galaxy.


Protogalactic clouds that have large amounts of angular momentum may develop into what?

Protogalactic clouds with large amounts of angular momentum may develop into spiral galaxies. The conservation of angular momentum allows these clouds to rotate and flatten, leading to the formation of rotating disks. As gas and dust within these clouds condense and cool, they trigger star formation, contributing to the characteristic structure of spiral galaxies.


What galaxies are smaller with many bright young stars and lots of gas and dust for star formation?

Spiral Galaxies


Can a shock wave disrupt an interstellar cloud from creating a star?

On the contrary, shock waves from supernovae can actually trigger star formation.


A flattened combination of matter containing stars gas and dust in a spiral galaxy can be identified as what?

A flattened combination of matter containing stars, gas, and dust in a spiral galaxy is identified as the galaxy's disk. This disk is where most of the galaxy's star formation occurs and contains the majority of its stars and interstellar material. The spiral arms within the disk are regions of higher density that enhance star formation.


What may density waves explain?

Density waves can explain the formation of spiral arms in galaxies, as the regions of higher density lead to increased gravitational forces that can trigger star formation. Additionally, density waves can also affect the movement and distribution of interstellar gas and dust within galaxies, influencing the overall structure and evolution of the galactic disk.


What are similarities between elliptical and spiral galaxies?

While spiral galaxies are bright, elliptical galaxies are dim. Spiral galaxies are hotbeds of star formation, but elliptical galaxies aren't nearly as prolific because they contain less gas and dust, which means fewer new (and brighter) stars are born


What happens to interstellar gas as it passes through a spiral density wave?

As interstellar gas passes through a spiral density wave in a galaxy, it is compressed and triggers the formation of new stars. The increased density and pressure can also lead to the formation of massive star clusters or even the triggering of starburst events in galaxies.


Why does star formation require a triggering event?

Star formation requires a triggering event because the gas and dust in space need a disturbance, such as a shockwave or gravitational collapse, to overcome their natural tendency to remain diffuse and form into dense clumps that can eventually collapse and form stars.