Lifecycles of Stars: What Causes Gravity in the Beginning?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the origins of gravity in the early stages of stellar evolution, specifically within nebulae. It is established that gravity arises from mass, which is significant in the context of large clouds of gas and dust. The participants emphasize the importance of understanding how hydrogen atoms are influenced by gravitational forces during the formation of stars. Resources such as Wikipedia and specific academic links provide foundational information on nebulae and their characteristics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic astronomical concepts, particularly stellar evolution.
  • Familiarity with the structure and composition of nebulae.
  • Knowledge of gravitational forces and their relationship to mass.
  • Basic comprehension of atomic interactions, specifically involving hydrogen.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the process of star formation within nebulae.
  • Study the role of gravity in astrophysics, focusing on Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation.
  • Explore the lifecycle stages of stars, including protostars and main-sequence stars.
  • Investigate the composition and types of nebulae, including planetary and stellar nebulae.
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, students studying astrophysics, and anyone interested in the fundamental processes of star formation and the role of gravity in the universe.

mrhessy
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I'm a relative newcomer to astronomy and am still trying to understand the lifecycles of stars, i think i understand that the beginning stages of stellar evolution involve hydrogen atoms being pulled towards a central area of gravity, but where does the gravity come from?
 
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Gravity originates with the mass. Remember, the clouds are very large.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebula - no details, but basic information.

Some information on the size of nebulae - http://faculty.rmwc.edu/tmichalik/PlanetaryNeb.htm
 
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