Unit 5 Vocab

Front

What is a white dwarf?

Back

A type of small star that is the remnant of a low or medium mass star.

Front

What characterizes an irregular galaxy?

Back

It lacks a distinct shape or structure.

Front

What is an elliptical galaxy?

Back

A galaxy with an ellipsoidal shape and a smooth, nearly featureless brightness profile.

Front

What is the main sequence in a star's life cycle?

Back

A phase where a star is stable and fuses hydrogen.

Front

What feature characterizes a spiral galaxy?

Back

Spiral arms.

Front

What is a galaxy?

Back

A massive system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter, bound together by gravity.

Front

What is the life cycle of a star?

Back

The series of stages a star goes through from formation to its end state.

Front

What happens during the red giant phase?

Back

A star expands and cools after exhausting hydrogen in its core.

Front

What is a supernova?

Back

A powerful and luminous explosion that occurs at the end of a massive star's life.

Front

What is a nebula?

Back

A giant cloud of dust and gas in space, often the birthplace of stars.