The phrase "accretion flow" refers to the process of matter gathering or accumulating onto a central object, usually due to gravity. It is like a flow or stream of material that increases the mass of the central object over time. Full definition
Her research involves the study of accretion flows and emission processes around neutron stars and black holes. (sciencemag.org)
He is a theoretical astrophysicist studying compact objects, astrophysical explosions, accretion flows, and stellar dynamics. (carnegiescience.edu)
«Astrophysicists can model the accreting material to some extent, but it is unclear how gas in the accretion flow migrates from an orbit at a large radius to one near the (creationscience.com)