On the Effect of Interstellar Matter on the Motion of a Star

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Abstract
It is shown that the retarding force upon a star exerted by interstellar matter through which it moves is effectively the same as that previously evaluated by Bondi and Hoyle, whether or not accretion takes place in the way they consider, so long as the interstellar matter has the general properties they assume. It is, however, suggested that the actual accretion may occur in the way considered without the operation of the rest of the mechanism envisaged by Bondi and Hoyle. If there is a density-gradient transverse to the path of the star, there is a transverse force, and this is evaluated. In this case any accreted or captured material must possess angular momentum about the centre of the star, and this also is evaluated. Some of the calculations illustrate the power of the vector methods in dynamics that were expounded by the late Professor E. A. Milne.

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