Space gas cloud
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Understanding Space Gas Clouds: Formation, Chemistry, and Dynamics
Formation of Space Gas Clouds
Spontaneous Gravitational Contraction
Gas clouds in outer space are not isolated systems; they lose energy through electromagnetic radiation. Under certain conditions, this energy loss can lead to spontaneous gravitational compression, where the cloud shrinks and cools simultaneously. This process could play a significant role in the formation of hidden mass in galaxies, as the gravitational energy released during compression balances the energy lost through radiation4.
Expanding Gas Clouds
Another model considers freely expanding gas clouds of tri-axial ellipsoidal shape. These clouds, when composed of a monatomic gas with an adiabatic index of 5/3, can be described by integrable solutions. The study of these expanding clouds provides insights into their behavior and the mathematical properties governing their expansion1.
Chemistry in Interstellar Clouds
Molecular Synthesis
Interstellar clouds, which contain both gas and dust, are rich in gas-phase molecules, primarily organic in nature. These molecules are synthesized from precursor atoms through rapid exothermic reactions in the gas phase and on the surfaces of dust particles. The chemical reactions and models that explain the observed abundances of these molecules are crucial for understanding the chemical complexity of interstellar space2 3.
Dark Gas and Molecular Clouds
In the solar neighborhood, vast clouds of cold dust and dark gas have been detected. These clouds, invisible in traditional HI and CO lines but detectable through γ rays, bridge the dense molecular cores to broader atomic clouds. This discovery highlights the significant mass of dark gas in the Milky Way, comparable to the molecular gas mass, and its role in the evolution of interstellar clouds7.
Dynamics and Role in Star Formation
Ionized Gas Clouds
Ionized gas clouds within our Galaxy are essential for sustaining star formation. These clouds, observed at high velocities, serve as a reservoir of matter that fuels ongoing star formation. The distances of these clouds are critical for understanding their role in the galactic halo and their contribution to the galactic gas supply6.
Cloud Formation in Fluidized Beds
Experimental observations of gas clouds forming around bubbles in fluidized beds provide insights into the behavior of gas flow and cloud dynamics. These observations help in understanding the exchange of gas between the cloud and interstitial phases, as well as the behavior of clouds as their parent bubbles split and coalesce5.
Conclusion
Space gas clouds are complex entities that play a crucial role in the dynamics and chemistry of the universe. From their formation through gravitational contraction to their role in star formation and molecular synthesis, these clouds are integral to our understanding of cosmic processes. The study of their behavior, chemical composition, and interaction with other cosmic entities continues to reveal the intricate workings of the universe.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Expanding gas clouds of ellipsoidal shape: new exact solutions
The Dyson's model for expanding gas clouds of ellipsoidal shape is completely integrable by quadratures, with solutions being meromorphic functions of the independent variable, u = Tdt.
Chemistry in the Interstellar Medium
Interstellar clouds contain organic molecules synthesized from precursor material, mainly from the mass loss of previous generations of stars.
Highly CitedThe chemistry of interstellar space
Interstellar clouds contain organic molecules, which may eventually form stars and planets, due to rapid exothermic reactions in the gas and on the surfaces of tiny dust particles.
Highly CitedThe Possibility of Spontaneous Gravitational Contraction of a Gas Cloud in Outer Space with Simultaneous Cooling of the Cloud
Spontaneous gravitational compression of gas clouds in outer space can lead to simultaneous cooling, potentially guiding the formation of hidden masses of galaxies.
Cloud formation around bubbles in gas fluidized beds
Gas clouds form around bubbles in two-dimensional fluidized beds, with cloud shedding and parent bubble split-and-coalesce behavior influencing cloud shape in three-dimensional beds.
Highly CitedA Reservoir of Ionized Gas in the Galactic Halo to Sustain Star Formation in the Milky Way
Ionized gas clouds with 90 vLSR 170 kilometers per second are within one galactic radius of the Sun and have enough mass to maintain star formation, while those with 170 vLSR 170 kilometers per second are at larger distances.
Highly CitedUnveiling Extensive Clouds of Dark Gas in the Solar Neighborhood
Vast clouds of cold dust and dark gas, invisible in HI and CO but detected in rays, surround nearby CO clouds and bridge dense cores to broader atomic clouds, providing a key link in the evolution of interstellar clouds.
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