In astrophysics, the precise mechanism governing the formation of massive stars—those with masses exceeding eight solar masses—remained debated for decades. According to the core accretion model, a dense circumstellar disk continuously feeds gas onto a protostellar core until radiation pressure from the growing star halts further inflow. However, early theoretical calculations suggested that intense radiation pressure would blast away surrounding gas and dust before the star could accrete sufficient mass. To resolve this apparent conflict, recent three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations revealed that accretion disks develop narrow, collimated channels through which radiation escapes, allowing infalling gas to continue accumulating along the equatorial plane. Thus, these simulations demonstrate that core accretion remains a viable framework for massive star formation.
Which of the following best states the primary purpose of the passage?
- To explain how recent computational simulations resolve a theoretical obstacle in massive star formation.Cevap
- BTo argue that the core accretion model should be completely replaced by a new astrophysical theory.
- CTo detail the specific process by which radiation pressure blasts away surrounding circumstellar gas.
- DTo contrast theoretical calculations with direct empirical telescopic observations of protostars.
- ETo demonstrate that radiation pressure is irrelevant to the growth of protostellar cores.