Life Cycle of Stars

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What is nuclear fusion?

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The process of combining several small nuclei into one large nucleus, releasing huge amounts of energy.

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What is a super red giant?

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An extremely large red giant star with a minimum of 15 solar masses, such as Betelgeuse, which has a luminosity about 10,000 times that of the Sun.

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What is a nebula?

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An enormous cloud of dust and gas in space that acts as a nursery for new stars.

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What is a black hole?

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A region of space with a gravitational field so intense that no matter or radiation can escape.

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What are heavy elements?

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A large group of elements, including iron, gold, copper, lead, and magnesium, that conduct heat and electricity well.

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What is a main sequence star?

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A star that is in the stable phase of its life cycle, where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core.

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What is a supernova?

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A powerful and luminous explosion of a star, marking the end of its life cycle.

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What is a neutron star?

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A type of stellar remnant that is incredibly dense, formed from the remnants of a supernova.

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What is luminosity?

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The total amount of energy emitted by a star per unit of time, often measured in watts.

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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 its formation in a nebula to its eventual death as a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.