What cosmic reservoir initiates the gravitational collapse forming an open cluster?
Answer
Giant molecular clouds
Open clusters originate from vast, cold expanses known as giant molecular clouds, which possess masses potentially reaching many thousands of times that of the Sun. The formation process begins when a section of this cloud becomes gravitationally unstable, often due to external triggers like shock waves from a supernova or another cloud collision. This instability leads to a gravitational collapse, fragmenting the gas and dust material into denser clumps that eventually condense to form the stars belonging to the cluster. These clouds represent the fundamental material source for the simultaneous birth of all cluster members.
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