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Clustering of Cold Hydrogen Gas on Protons

Abstract

KRASOVSKII1 has suggested that the presence of ion-clusters of hydrogen in gaseous nebulae could account for the absorption and polarization of stellar radiation. It has since been argued2 that interstellar gas densities are too low for such processes. Hoyle and co-workers3,4 have, however, proposed that condensation of hydrogen on graphite grains at 3 K might promote the formation of galaxies and stars. The densities of hydrogen in interstellar clouds may thus be great enough for ion-clusters to form by interaction with radiation.

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CLAMPITT, R., GOWLAND, L. Clustering of Cold Hydrogen Gas on Protons. Nature 223, 815–816 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/223815a0

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