gravitational collapse

gravitational collapse

n.

1. The implosion of a star or other celestial body under the influence of its own gravity, resulting in a body that is many times smaller and denser than the original body.

2. The process by which stars, star clusters, and galaxies form from interstellar gas under the influence of gravity.

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gravitational collapse  (grv-tsh-nl)

1. The implosion of a star or other celestial body as a result of its own gravity, resulting in a body that is many times smaller and denser than the original body.

2. The process by which stars, star clusters, and galaxies form from interstellar gas under the influence of gravity. Clusters of matter are drawn together by gravitational pull, with additional matter continuing to accumulate until the growing nebula develops into even denser gaseous bodies such as stars or groups of stars.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

gravitational collapse - the implosion of a star resulting from its own gravity; the result is a smaller and denser celestial object implosion - a sudden inward collapse; "the implosion of a light bulb"