In general, accretion is the process by which one body gains mass by incorporation of additional matter. The Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton accretion rate refers to the rate at which the body's mass increases as it moves in a uniform gas cloud, free of self-gravitation [1].
- ^ R. Edgar (2004). "A Review of Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton Accretion". New Astronomy Reviews. 48 (10): L843–L859. doi:10.1016/j.newar.2004.06.001.