High Mass Stars

Front

What is a black hole?

Back

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

Front

How do we know black holes exist?

Back

They emit X-rays and we use an X-ray telescope, like Chandra, to detect them.

Front

What determines the color of a star?

Back

The temperature of the star.

Front

What is a supernova?

Back

A gigantic explosion that occurs at the end of a large star's life cycle.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

Front

What is a protostar?

Back

A stage in star formation where gravity pulls gas and dust into a dense and hot sphere.

Front

Why do massive, blue stars have shorter lives?

Back

They are hotter and burn hydrogen fast.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a red giant?

Back

A late stage in a star's life when it expands and cools after exhausting its hydrogen fuel.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

Front

What is a white dwarf?

Back

The remnant core of a star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel and shed its outer layers.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a supergiant star?

Back

An extremely large star that is much more massive than the Sun and has a short lifespan.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

Front

What is the life cycle of a high mass star?

Back

High mass stars go through stages: protostar, main sequence, supergiant, supernova, and then may become a black hole or neutron star.