Synonyms
Definition
The interstellar medium refers to the tenuous gas and dust that fills the void between stellar systems in galaxies. This gas and dust is not distributed uniformly in interstellar space but displays significant variations in density, temperature, and ionization state. The interstellar medium is held in place by the gravitational force of the stellar component of galaxies. The interstellar medium contains the raw materials out of which new stars are formed, and as stars die, material is returned to the interstellar medium, often violently, enriched by stellar nucleosynthesis. The cycling of material in and out of the interstellar medium plays a critical role in the evolution of galaxies.
Overview
The space between stellar systems in galaxies is called interstellar space, distinct from interplanetary space (the space within a stellar system) and intergalactic space (the space between galaxies). Interstellar space is not empty but is filled with rarefied gas and...
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References and Further Reading
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Snell, R.L. (2023). Interstellar Medium. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-65093-6_801
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