File:HL_Tau_protoplanetary_disk.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
accretion
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astrophysical process in which matter gravitationally collects into a massive object
~20 min read
Encyclopedic overview
ALMA image of HL Tauri, a protoplanetary disk In astrophysics, accretion is the accumulation of particles into a massive object by gravitationally attracting more matter, typically gaseous matter, into an accretion disk. Most astronomical objects, such as galaxies, stars, and planets, are formed by accretion processes.
Overview
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “accretion” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.