How Big Was the Interstellar Cloud From Which Our Sun Formed?

-- Frank | April 7, 2020

Question:

Hi, I was wondering, what would be the estimated size of an interstellar cloud required to produce a sun-like star? Comparably speaking, how far from the sun’s current spot into and through the solar system might the cloud stretch?

-- Frank

Answer:

The giant molecular clouds from which stars form tend to have masses of about 10^4 solar masses of gas and dust that has a size of approximately 50 parsecs. Through a very slow process of gravitational collapse and fragmentation, this molecular cloud fragments into clumps that are about 0.1 parsecs in size and have masses in the range of about 10 to 50 solar masses. Over a period of about 10 million years, these molecular cloud clumps form stars. Since the original giant molecular cloud fragmented into molecular cloud cores, leading to the formation of many stars, one could say that the formation of our Sun derived from a molecular cloud fragment from this giant molecular cloud.

-- Jeff Mangum

Facebook

Twitter

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.