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A nebula can collapse into a dense mass when its gravitational attraction overcomes the outward pressure of gas and dust within it. This collapse can be triggered by external forces, such as a nearby supernova explosion or a shock wave from a passing star, causing the nebula to start contracting due to gravity. As the material compacts, its density increases, eventually leading to the formation of a protostar or a star.

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Q: What causes a nebula to collapse into a dense of mass?
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Continue Learning about Astronomy

Does a nebula turn into a white dwarf?

A nebula does not directly turn into a white dwarf. A nebula will collapse to form stars. Low to medium mass stars become white dwarfs after they die. Some are the result of a supernova and do not collapse, they merely dissipate over time. The Crab Nebula is the most prominent example of this.


What are some events that can disturb the Equilibrium of a nebula and cause it to begin to collapse?

List some events that can disturb the equilibrium of a nebula and cause it to being to


What are the small dense remains of a high mass star?

The small dense remains of a high mass star are either a neutron star or a black hole, depending on the mass of the original star. Neutron stars are formed from the core collapse of a massive star and are incredibly dense, composed mainly of neutrons. Black holes are formed when the core collapse results in a singularity with infinite density and a gravitational pull so strong that not even light can escape.


How stars form within a nebula?

Interstellar gas is inelastic. To compress it some event typically must occur. A supernova, for example, produces a shockwave that collapses interstellar gas, precipitating nearby star formation. Another force is gravity--we have seen stars form in the swirling wake of passing black holes. When two nebula collide, we might infer star formation across the "impact zone," much as water droplets precipitate when a moist warm air mass collides with a cooler, denser mass of air.


What Creates a planetary nebula?

A planetary nebula is created when a low- to medium-mass star reaches the end of its life cycle and sheds its outer layers of gas into space. This process exposes the hot core of the star, which emits ultraviolet radiation that causes the surrounding gas to glow and form a colorful nebula.