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Cold mass accretion (CMA) is a model of protostar accretion via a circumstellar disk with the material finally reaching the star over a small portion of the stellar surface, allowing most of the star to radiate freely. Hot mass accretion consists of material accreting at a high rate, simultaneously covering much of the surface, affecting its emitted radiation. It is thought possible that both occur depending upon circumstances, and possibly episodes of each occur on the same star.