Kelvin time scale

Kelvin time scale

[′kel·vən ′tīm ‚skāl]

(astrophysics)

The time that would be required for a star to contract gravitationally from infinity to its present radius solely through radiation of thermal energy. Also known as thermal time scale.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.