Diffuse inter-filament gas is likely a key fuel source for massive star formation

Researchers from Kyushu University have discovered that diffuse gas surrounding dense filaments in a nearby stellar nursery plays a much larger role in star formation than previously recognized. By tracking the movement of gas in the Monoceros R2 hub-filament system, the team found that low-density gas contributes to hub growth both through direct inflow and by replenishing nearby dense filaments. Their findings show that overlooking this diffuse gas could substantially underestimate the amount ...