Retrieving "Giant Molecular Clouds (gmcs)" from the archives

Cross-reference notes under review

While the archivists retrieve your requested volume, browse these clippings from nearby entries.

1. Star Formation

   Linked via "Giant Molecular Clouds (GMCs)"

   Star formation is the astrophysical process by which dense clumps of interstellar gas and dust collapse under their own gravity to form new stars (astronomical objects). This process occurs predominantly within Giant Molecular Clouds (GMCs)/) and is fundamentally governed by the Jeans instability criterion, modified by local thermodynamic conditions and the ambient magnetic field topology [1]. The overall efficiency of converting initial molecular mass into gravitat…

2. Star Formation

   Linked via "GMCs"

   where $T$ is the temperature, $\rho$ is the density, $\mu$ is the mean molecular weight, and $k_B$ and $G$ are the Boltzmann constant and gravitational constant, respectively.
   While the classical Jeans criterion explains gross instability, empirical observations suggest that collapse in GMCs/) is primarily triggered by external perturbations rather than purely internal density fluctuations. These triggers often include shock waves generated by [supernova remna…

3. Star Formation

   Linked via "GMCs"

   Stellar Winds and Radiation Pressure: Especially important for massive stars ($> 10 M_{\odot}$), the intense ultraviolet radiation and high-speed particle winds carve out H II regions, dispersing the natal gas envelope.
   Supernovae (SN): Later, the explosions of massive stars inject vast amounts of kinetic energy, often capable of halting collapse across entire GMCs/).
   The efficiency of this quenching mechanism is inv…

4. Stars

   Linked via "giant molecular clouds (GMCs)"

   Formation and Stellar Birth
   The genesis of a star (astronomical object)/) begins within dense regions of the interstellar medium (ISM)/), typically found within giant molecular clouds (GMCs)/). These clouds are predominantly composed of cold, diffuse gas and dust, which must undergo gravitational collapse to initiate star formation. This collapse is often triggered by external …

5. Stars

   Linked via "GMC"

   The Protostellar Phase
   As a region of the GMC/) contracts under its own mass, gravitational potential energy is converted into thermal energy, causing the core temperature to rise. This collapsing object is termed a protostar. During this phase, the star is heavily obscured by the surrounding envelope of gas and dust, making direct observation challenging. Infrared astronomy is crucial fo…