View source for Accretion disk

'''Accretion disk''' is a rotating structure of gas, dust, or plasma formed by material falling toward a central massive object under gravity. It is associated with energy release through friction and heating as material spirals inward.

Accretion disks are discussed in astrophysics, high-energy astronomy, and studies of compact objects.

== Status ==
Accretion disks are inferred and observed around objects such as black holes, neutron stars, and young stars. Models describe their structure, radiation mechanisms, and role in mass transfer and angular momentum transport.

== Related topics ==
[[Black hole]]

[[Neutron star]]

[[Protostar]]

[[Astrophysics]]