COLLAPSAR Meaning and
Definition
-
A collapsar, also known as a hypernova or a supernova of Type II, is a term used in astrophysics to describe a specific type of stellar explosion resulting from the gravitational collapse of a massive star. It refers to a compact object formed when a massive star, typically greater than 20 times the mass of the Sun, undergoes a catastrophic collapse under its own gravity.
During the late stages of a massive star's evolution, nuclear fusion in its core ceases, causing the star's core to become unstable. Under immense gravitational pressure, the core collapses inward rapidly, leading to a shockwave that rebounds off the inner core and results in a colossal explosion. This explosion releases an enormous amount of energy, ejecting the star's outer layers into space while leaving behind a compact remnant known as a collapsar.
The remnants of a collapsar can take two distinct forms, depending on the mass of the collapsed core. If the core's mass is below a certain threshold, it will form a stellar-mass black hole, a region in space with an intense gravitational pull that even light cannot escape. On the other hand, if the core's mass exceeds the threshold, a more massive black hole called a supermassive black hole may be formed.
The study of collapsars is crucial in understanding the life cycles of massive stars and the formation of black holes. By observing and analyzing these cosmic events, astrophysicists can gain insights into the fundamental processes that govern the evolution of stars, as well as the role they play in shaping the structure of galaxies and the universe as a whole.
Common Misspellings for COLLAPSAR
- xollapsar
- vollapsar
- follapsar
- dollapsar
- cillapsar
- ckllapsar
- clllapsar
- cpllapsar
- c0llapsar
- c9llapsar
- coklapsar
- coplapsar
- coolapsar
- colkapsar
- colpapsar
- coloapsar
- collzpsar
- collspsar
- collwpsar
- collqpsar
Etymology of COLLAPSAR
The word "collapsar" is a combination of two words: "collapse" and "star". It was coined by astrophysicist Felix Pirani in 1967 to describe a hypothetical celestial object resulting from the gravitational collapse of a massive star. The term "collapsar" was subsequently popularized by physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his colleagues in a 1969 paper discussing the gravitational collapse of supermassive stars.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
