collapsar

noun

col·​lap·​sar
kə-ˈlap-ˌsär
plural collapsars
: a massive star that undergoes gravitational collapse especially after colliding with another star
Collapsars are massive stars, which in the course of merging with a compact companion undergo core collapse leading to a BH [black hole] … leaving a supernova-like remnant.P. Mészáros, Science, 5 Jan. 2001
Today most astronomers think gamma-ray bursts result when a massive and rapidly rotating star collapses in on itself to form a black hole. The collapsing star, or collapsar, is a kind of supernova, but the extraordinary heft and spin of the star bring it to a faster and more calamitous end.Karen Wright, Discover, August 2002
broadly : black hole sense 2
This classification of stars results in three main types: regular stars (covering white dwarfs to super-giants) …, neutron stars and pulsars, … and collapsars (i.e. black holes) … . Pierre A. Millette, Progress in Physics, January 2014

Word History

Etymology

collapse entry 1 + -ar (as in quasar)

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of collapsar was in 1971

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Dictionary Entries Near collapsar

Cite this Entry

“Collapsar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collapsar. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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