The Oppenheimer-Snyder Model

The Oppenheimer-Snyder model, developed by J. Robert Oppenheimer and Herbert Snyder in 1939, describes how a massive star can collapse under its own gravity after exhausting its nuclear fuel. In this process, the core contracts rapidly, leading to the formation of a black hole, while the outer layers may explosively escape. This model helps explain the life cycle of massive stars and the conditions necessary for black hole creation, illustrating the interplay between gravity and the star's internal pressure. It laid the groundwork for further research in astrophysics and our understanding of black holes.