How large can giant molecular clouds extend, and what is their typical mass comparison?
Answer
Hundreds of light-years, millions of Suns
There is a vast scale difference between various structures within the ISM. While general diffuse clouds may only span tens of light-years, the massive concentrations of material known as giant molecular clouds represent significant reservoirs of mass. These behemoths can stretch across distances of hundreds of light-years. Furthermore, their total mass is staggering, often equaling or exceeding the mass equivalent of millions of Suns, making them the primary sites where the galaxy collects the necessary raw material for sustained star formation.
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