The popular notion that stars are created by the spontaneous, adiabatic collapse of molecular clouds is challenged. Instead, a more physically realistic model of protostar nucleation through hydrogen/dust condensation is proposed here (and in other postings) on this website) as well as by many other astronomers and astrophyscists elsewhere. Thermodynamics dictate that such condensation requires relatively cold and places within the cloud enable such condensation coupled with possible dew/sublimation point elevation. The high pressures required is likely provides by turbulence – both viscous and electromagnetic as evidenced by independent simulations. We can also see that for ourselves in our images of molecular clouds.
Swirls, Eddies, and Star Nucleation in Molecular Clouds
