gravitational instability

Gravitational instability occurs when a region of gas or matter in space becomes dense enough that gravity causes it to start collapsing on itself. This process can lead to the formation of stars, planets, or other celestial bodies. Imagine a cloud of gas in space: if parts of it gather enough material, gravity pulls everything inward, overcoming internal pressure that might resist collapse. When this balance tips, the cloud begins to contract and eventually forms denser structures. Gravitational instability is a key mechanism in understanding how structures grow and evolve in the universe.