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Accretion Collection

Accretion, the captivating force that shapes our universe

Background imageAccretion Collection: Black hole destroying star, illustration

Black hole destroying star, illustration. A black hole is an object so compact (usually a collapsed star) that nothing can escape its gravitational pull. Not even light

Background imageAccretion Collection: USA, Nevada, Black Rock Desert. View of the Fly Geyser

USA, Nevada, Black Rock Desert. View of the Fly Geyser. Credit as: Cathy & Gordon Illg / Jaynes Gallery / DanitaDelimont

Background imageAccretion Collection: A spheroid shape emerges from the formation of a new planet

A spheroid shape emerges from the formation of a new planet as its gravity gathers matter from surrounding rocks and debris

Background imageAccretion Collection: One denser star using its gravity to engulf another nearby star

One denser star using its gravity to engulf another nearby star
The act of one denser star using its gravity to engulf another nearby star is called stellar cannibalism

Background imageAccretion Collection: Solar system formation, artwork

Solar system formation, artwork
Solar system formation, computer artwork

Background imageAccretion Collection: Cataclysmic variable star systems C017 / 0753

Cataclysmic variable star systems C017 / 0753
Cataclysmic variable star systems. Computer artwork showing atmospheric matter being drawn from larger stars by the powerful magnetic field of smaller white dwarf stars

Background imageAccretion Collection: Microquasar X-ray binary system F006 / 9719

Microquasar X-ray binary system F006 / 9719
Artists impression of a microquasar X-ray binary. These binary star systems comprise a compact star (black hole or neutron star) which is in orbit about a larger companion (in this case)

Background imageAccretion Collection: Microquasar X-ray binary system F006 / 9712

Microquasar X-ray binary system F006 / 9712
Artists impression of a microquasar X-ray binary. These binary star systems comprise a compact star (black hole or neutron star) which is in orbit about a larger companion (in this case, a red dwarf)

Background imageAccretion Collection: Cataclysmic variable star system, artwork

Cataclysmic variable star system, artwork
Cataclysmic variable star system. Computer artwork showing atmospheric matter being drawn from one star (centre) by the powerful magnetic field of a white dwarf star at the centre of a neighbouring

Background imageAccretion Collection: Planet formation, early solar system

Planet formation, early solar system
Planet formation in the early solar system, artwork. Early in the life of the solar system there was a large amount of debris orbiting in a disc around the newly-formed Sun

Background imageAccretion Collection: Planetary formation, computer artwork

Planetary formation, computer artwork
Planetary formation. Computer artwork of numerous small rocky bodies (planetessimals) accreting to form a planet in the early Solar System

Background imageAccretion Collection: Planetesimal asteroids in the early solar system

Planetesimal asteroids in the early solar system
Solar system formation. Artwork of asteroids (planetesimals) in the early solar system about 4.7 billion years ago. The planetesimals lie in an interstellar cloud (nebula)

Background imageAccretion Collection: Earths formation

Earths formation. Artwork of Earth forming in the early solar system. It is thought that the planets formed from a rotating disc of material that formed around, and at the same time as

Background imageAccretion Collection: Artwork of asteroids in the early solar system

Artwork of asteroids in the early solar system
Solar system formation. Artwork of asteroids (planetesimals) in the early solar system. A jet can be seen erupting from a pole of the Sun

Background imageAccretion Collection: Stellar formation

Stellar formation
Star formation. Image 1 of 2. Artwork of a cloud of gas and dust coalescing during the formation of a star. Stars form when gas clouds contract under their own gravity

Background imageAccretion Collection: Diagram of comms satellites linked by lasers

Diagram of comms satellites linked by lasers
Laser satellite communication. Artwork of the laser bridge concept for linking communications satellites in orbit. At present (1995)

Background imageAccretion Collection: Waves on a white dwarf star

Waves on a white dwarf star
White dwarf star waves. Image 3 of 3. Computer model of kilometre-high waves on the surface of a white dwarf star, a small, dense star formed at the end of a Sun-like stars life

Background imageAccretion Collection: Energy-releasing black hole

Energy-releasing black hole. Computer artwork of the energy-releasing black hole (upper left) in galaxy MCG -6-30-15. The energy around this black hole was measured by astronomers

Background imageAccretion Collection: Planetary formation, conceptual artwork

Planetary formation, conceptual artwork
Planetary formation, conceptual computer artwork

Background imageAccretion Collection: Cosmic wave, artwork

Cosmic wave, artwork
Cosmic wave, conceptual computer artwork. Spinning black hole dragging the fabric of space and time into its centre

Background imageAccretion Collection: Prehistoric black hole, conceptual image

Prehistoric black hole, conceptual image

Background imageAccretion Collection: Cataclysmic binary stars, artwork

Cataclysmic binary stars, artwork
Cataclysmic binary stars. Computer artwork of a red dwarf (large) orbiting around a white dwarf (small). The white dwarfs powerful gravitational force is pulling atmospheric matter away from the red

Background imageAccretion Collection: Young star, artwork

Young star, artwork
Young star. Computer artwork of a young sun-like star encircled by its planet-forming disk of gas and dust

Background imageAccretion Collection: Black hole, conceptual artwork

Black hole, conceptual artwork
Black hole, conceptual computer artwork. Black holes are regions in space where the pull of gravity exceeds the velocity of light

Background imageAccretion Collection: Planetary formation, artwork

Planetary formation, artwork
Planetary formation. Computer artwork of small rocky bodies (planetesimals) accreting with a protoplanet in the early Solar System

Background imageAccretion Collection: Active galactic nucleus, artwork

Active galactic nucleus, artwork
Active galactic nucleus (AGN), computer artwork. An AGN is a galactic core that emits a higher luminosity than can be produced by the galaxys stars alone

Background imageAccretion Collection: Salt encrustations by the Dead Sea

Salt encrustations by the Dead Sea, Israel. The Dead Sea is the lowest elevation on the Earths surface on dry land and one of the worlds saltiest bodies of water, with 33.7 per cent salinity

Background imageAccretion Collection: Hoare frost at dawn

Hoare frost at dawn
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock



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Accretion, the captivating force that shapes our universe. From the depths of a black hole in space to the mesmerizing Fly Geyser in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, accretion manifests itself in various forms. In the vast expanse of space, a black hole looms ominously, devouring everything that comes its way. Its gravitational pull is so strong that not even light can escape its clutches. It serves as a reminder of the immense power and mystery hidden within our cosmos. Meanwhile, amidst the arid landscapes of Nevada's Black Rock Desert, we find ourselves gazing at the enchanting Fly Geyser. Its vibrant hues and otherworldly formations transport us to another realm altogether. This natural wonder stands as a testament to nature's own process - layer upon layer building up over time to create something truly extraordinary. As we delve deeper into this concept, we witness illustrations depicting a black hole obliterating a star with its destructive might. The sheer violence and energy unleashed during such an event are awe-inspiring yet humbling reminders of how small we truly are in comparison to these cosmic forces. Returning once again to Nevada's Black Rock Desert, where views of the Fly Geyser continue to captivate us with their ethereal beauty. These bubbling geothermal pools seem almost extraterrestrial in nature; they remind us that even here on Earth, accretion takes place - shaping our landscapes through geological processes over thousands of years. But let us not forget about our very own planet Earth and its origins. In primordial times, it was formed by countless asteroid-like bodies colliding together relentlessly until eventually giving birth to what we now call home. And finally, imagine witnessing the birth of new planets as spheroid shapes emerge from swirling clouds of dust and gas – an intricate dance orchestrated by gravity itself. Accretion is more than just an astronomical phenomenon; it is a fundamental process that shapes the very fabric of our existence.