What modern interpretation often suggests the trigger for the gravitational collapse of the nebula is?
A shockwave from a nearby supernova explosion
Even though the solar nebula was massive and held together by gravity, it possessed a slight initial rotation and outward gas pressure that kept it stable in its diffuse state. To initiate the rapid phase of star and planet formation, a significant external trigger was required to overcome this stability and start the runaway gravitational instability. Contemporary astrophysical models frequently propose that such a trigger involves an external event passing through the interstellar medium. The most cited example is a powerful shockwave, perhaps originating from a supernova explosion occurring relatively near the nebula, which compresses the gas and dust, tipping the balance toward gravitational collapse.
