Abstract
Dust influences star formation in various ways. The process of star formation is observed to occur only in dense dark clouds of interstellar gas, so the first requirement is that the process is shielded from ambient starlight. Dust grains are effective coolants of interstellar gas, and so help the gravitational collapse of dust clouds by maintaining a low gas temperature. Dust grains also influence the formation and loss of gaseous molecules that also contribute to cooling and hence to star formation. In cases in which the dust grains become the dominant carriers of charge inside dark regions, they effectively control the ambipolar diffusion timescale and therefore the support available to the region from the magnetic field. Dust grains provide the basic solid materials from which planets are formed. The initial step in this process is the collision and sticking of dust grains that occurs in high density gas. The probability of sticking is significantly affected by the physical and chemical nature of the material of the dust grains.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.