Understanding Stars

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What are stars primarily made of?

Back

Stars are primarily made of hydrogen and helium.

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What is the life cycle of a star?

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The life cycle of a star spans billions of years, starting from birth in nebulae to becoming a red giant, and eventually ending as a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.

Front

What is nuclear fusion and when does it begin in a star?

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Nuclear fusion is the process that ignites the core of a star, beginning when the core temperature reaches about 27 million degrees Fahrenheit (15 million degrees Celsius).

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How do astronomers classify stars?

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Astronomers classify stars using the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, which plots variables like brightness and temperature.

Front

What is a red giant?

Back

A red giant is a large, swelling star that occurs when a star's hydrogen is converted to helium, causing its outer shell of hot gases to expand.

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What is a white dwarf?

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A white dwarf is a small, dense body that remains after a red giant sheds its outer layers.

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What is a supernova?

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A supernova is a massive star explosion that occurs when the star's core collapses.

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What can astronomers learn from supernovae?

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Astronomers can use supernovae as 'standard candles' to measure distances in the universe and calculate its rate of expansion.

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What are constellations?

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Constellations are configurations of stars that ancient cultures used for navigation and tracking seasons.

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What happens to a star as it nears the end of its life?

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As a star nears the end of its life, much of its hydrogen is converted to helium, causing its outer layers to expand.