rakutuumasse

Rakutuumasse is a term used in astrophysics to describe the process by which a star collapses under its own gravity, leading to the formation of a dense core known as a neutron star or black hole. This phenomenon typically occurs at the end of a massive star's life cycle, after it has exhausted its nuclear fuel. The immense gravitational forces overcome the outward pressure that previously supported the star, causing its outer layers to be expelled in a supernova explosion while the core implodes.

The exact outcome of rakutuumasse depends on the mass of the star's core. If the core's mass is between roughly 1.4 and 3 solar masses, it will collapse into a neutron star, an incredibly dense object composed primarily of neutrons. If the core's mass exceeds this limit, gravity becomes so strong that it overwhelms even the neutron degeneracy pressure, and the core collapses further into a singularity, forming a black hole, from which nothing, not even light, can escape.

Understanding rakutuumasse is crucial for comprehending stellar evolution, the formation of compact objects, and the distribution of heavy elements in the universe, as supernova explosions are responsible for synthesizing and dispersing many elements heavier than iron. The study of these events also provides insights into the extreme physics of gravity and matter under conditions not replicable on Earth.