What external event is hypothesized to have triggered the initial collapse of the solar nebula?
Answer
A shockwave from a nearby supernova
The solar nebula existed in a state of delicate equilibrium for a long period, requiring a disturbance to initiate the collapse. A supernova represents the violent explosion of a massive star, which creates a powerful shockwave traveling through the interstellar medium. When this wave interacts with a cold, diffuse gas cloud, it compresses the gas and dust in specific areas. Once the density in these areas surpasses a critical threshold, the force of gravity becomes sufficient to overcome internal thermal pressure, causing the cloud to collapse under its own weight and eventually form a star and planetary system.
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