Stars and Galaxies

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What is a spiral galaxy?

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A type of galaxy characterized by its spiral shape, with arms that wind outward from the center. Examples include the Milky Way.

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What is an elliptical galaxy?

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A type of galaxy that has an oval shape and lacks the distinct arms of spiral galaxies. They are often older and contain less gas and dust.

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What is an irregular galaxy?

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A galaxy that does not have a distinct regular shape, often resulting from gravitational interactions or collisions with other galaxies.

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What is a quasar?

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A highly luminous object powered by a supermassive black hole at the center of a distant galaxy, emitting enormous amounts of energy.

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What color of star indicates the highest temperature?

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Blue stars are the hottest, followed by white, yellow, orange, and red stars.

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What is nuclear fusion?

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The process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy. This process powers stars, including the Sun.

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What is the main sequence in stellar evolution?

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A continuous and distinctive band of stars that appears on plots of stellar color versus brightness, where stars spend most of their lifetime fusing hydrogen into helium.

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What is the life cycle of a star?

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The series of stages a star goes through from formation to its end, including phases like main sequence, red giant, and supernova or white dwarf.

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What is a supernova?

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A powerful and luminous explosion that occurs at the end of a star's life cycle, often resulting in the formation of a neutron star or black hole.

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What is a black hole?

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A region of space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it.