Eddington limit

British  

/ ˈɛdɪŋtən /

noun

1. astronomy the theoretical upper limit of luminosity that a star of a given mass can reach; occurs when the outward force of the radiation just balances the inward gravitational force

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Etymology

Origin of Eddington limit

C20: named after A. S. Eddington (1882–1944), English astronomer and physicist

Example Sentences

This theoretical cap is known as the Eddington limit.

From Science Daily

The results point to a supermassive black hole that existed about 12 billion years ago and is accreting matter at roughly 13 times the Eddington limit, based on X-ray measurements.

From Science Daily

At the Eddington limit, the high-energy light being produced can drive almost all of the infalling matter back into space as a wind.

From Science Daily

That is swift on Earth but slow compared with winds near the Eddington limit around supermassive black holes, where outflows can reach 20 to 30 percent of light speed, more than 200 million km/h.

From Science Daily

"The winds were utterly different but they're from systems which are about the same in terms of the Eddington limit. So if these winds really are just powered by radiation pressure, why are they different?" asks Chris.

From Science Daily