Where Do Stars Form: Cool Nebulas or Hot Nebulas?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the conditions under which stars form, specifically comparing the roles of cool versus hot nebulae in star formation. Participants explore the implications of temperature and density in both the initial stages of star formation and the subsequent development of proto-planets.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that stars form more easily in cool, high-density nebulae due to the effectiveness of gravity in such conditions.
  • Others argue that hot nebulae might allow for quicker ignition of stars because they possess some initial temperature, although the significance of this temperature is questioned.
  • One participant emphasizes that stars do not form from hot clouds, asserting that cold molecular clouds with temperatures below 20K are crucial for star formation.
  • Another participant questions how a temperature of 20K can be significant in the star formation process, seeking clarification on its impact.
  • There is a discussion about the role of hot gas around proto-stars, with one participant suggesting that it may be beneficial for proto-planet development, while another notes that the term "beneficial" is relative.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of temperature in star formation, with no consensus reached on whether cool or hot nebulae are more conducive to the process. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of temperature on both star and proto-planet formation.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific temperature ranges and conditions but do not provide detailed definitions or measurements, leaving some assumptions about the nature of "cool" and "hot" nebulas unspecified.

Sastronaut
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Would you expect to find stars being made more easily in a cool, high-dense nebula or conversely a hot, high-dense nebula? Looking at for example the pillars of creation which is a stellar nursery, but what would be classified as hot and cold? relatively speaking. thoughts? thanks pf!
 
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Cold nebula. It is far easier for gravity to do its thing when the gases are cool. I am not sure of the temperatures off the top of my head.Damo
 
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On the other hand, if the cloud is hot, it is going to take less time for the star to ignite because it already has some temperature. However, I don't think that temperature wold be significant.

cb
 
Temperature is very significant. Stars don't form from hot clouds. They form from cold molecular clouds, with temperatures less than 20K or so.
 
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D H said:
Temperature is very significant. Stars don't form from hot clouds. They form from cold molecular clouds, with temperatures less than 20K or so.

How can a temperature of only 20K be significant? How can it disturb the formation of a star? Just wondering?

thanks, cb
 
Cosmobrain said:
How can a temperature of only 20K be significant? How can it disturb the formation of a star? Just wondering?

thanks, cb

Hotter clouds resist gravity since the temperature determines the outward pressure the gas will have. During the initial collapse of the cloud, when it is still a long way off from forming a star, it needs to be very cold in order for gravity to bring it together. Remember that the density of these gas clouds is still very very low, as is the gravitational force the cloud exerts on itself.
 
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Okay so cool/dense cloud for the star, but when you have proto-star forming and the gas around it is heating up...would that hot gas/dense then be more beneficial for proto-planet development?
 
Sastronaut said:
Okay so cool/dense cloud for the star, but when you have proto-star forming and the gas around it is heating up...would that hot gas/dense then be more beneficial for proto-planet development?

I think that depends on what you mean by "beneficial".
 
your right that is relative drakkith
 

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