| Astrophysics (Index) | About |
The term sedimentation refers to material (i.e., particles) sinking within a fluid due to gravity. The term is used in geology and chemistry, and definitely is of interest regarding planets, both Earth-like planets (e.g., Mars) and fluid planets, e.g., gas planets such as Jupiter. It is also of interest in stars, e.g., during or after accretion such as that by white dwarfs and neutron stars. Element sedimentation or elemental sedimentation refers to sedimentation of the heaviest elements, e.g., metals within a star's helium and/or hydrogen.