Accretion disc – Definition & Meaning

Conclusion

An accretion disc is a structure formed by the accumulation of matter around a central object, such as a star or black hole. This phenomenon is observed in various astronomical systems, including protoplanetary disks, active galactic nuclei, and X-ray binaries.

Definitions

An accretion disc is a disk-shaped structure that forms around a central object, such as a star or black hole, as matter falls onto it. The matter in the disc is heated by friction and emits radiation, which can be observed at various wavelengths.

Origin

The concept of an accretion disc was first proposed in the 1940s by astrophysicist Lyman Spitzer, who suggested that gas falling onto a star could form a flattened disk. Later, the idea was applied to other astronomical systems, such as black holes and protoplanetary disks.

Meaning in different dictionaries

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an accretion disc is “a disk of matter that forms around a celestial object (such as a black hole) as material is drawn in by gravity and heats up from friction.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines an accretion disc as “a disk of matter that accumulates around a central object, typically a star or black hole, as a result of gravitational attraction.”

Associations

Accretion discs are associated with a variety of astronomical phenomena, including:

  • Protoplanetary disks, which are believed to be the birthplaces of planets.
  • Active galactic nuclei, which are powered by the accretion of matter onto a supermassive black hole.
  • X-ray binaries, which consist of a normal star and a compact object (such as a black hole or neutron star) that is accreting matter from the star.

Synonyms

Some synonyms for accretion disc include:

  • Accretion disk.
  • Circumstellar disk.
  • Debris disk.
  • Gaseous disk.

Antonyms

There are no direct antonyms for accretion disc, but some related terms include:

  • Ejection disk (a disk of matter that is ejected from a central object).
  • Depletion disk (a disk of matter that is depleted of gas and dust).

The same root words

The word “accretion” comes from the Latin word “accretio,” which means “growth” or “increase.” The root word “disc” comes from the Greek word “diskos,” which means “disk” or “plate.”

Example Sentences

  • Astronomers study accretion discs to better understand the formation and evolution of stars and planets.
  • The accretion disc around a black hole can emit intense radiation that can be detected by telescopes.
  • Protoplanetary disks are thought to be the birthplaces of planets, as the dust and gas in the disk gradually clump together to form larger bodies.

An accretion disc is a disk-shaped structure that forms around a central object as matter falls onto it. This phenomenon is observed in various astronomical systems and is associated with the formation of stars, planets, and black holes. Understanding accretion discs is crucial to our understanding of the universe and the processes that shape it.

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