Quote:
Originally Posted by mswhin63
There is not enough mass to start a nuclear reaction. Once a reaction starts gravity compresses the star to it relative size.
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Malcolm, it is actually the other way around:
First the (future) star collapses and shrinks because of gravity.. then the thermonuclear reaction eventually starts because of high enough temperatures an pressure and then the radiation pressure from the hot interior keeps the balance with gravity so the newborn star doesn't shrink any more.