Understanding Stars and Solar Systems

Front

What is a star?

Back

A star is a massive, luminous sphere of plasma held together by gravity, undergoing nuclear fusion.

Front

What is the Sun classified as?

Back

The Sun is classified as a medium star, specifically a G-type main-sequence star.

Front

How many stars are in our galaxy?

Back

There are an estimated 100 billion to 400 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy.

Front

What is a solar system?

Back

A solar system is a collection of planets and other celestial bodies that orbit a star.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

Front

Do stars have a life cycle?

Back

Yes, stars go through a life cycle that includes stages like birth, main sequence, and death.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

Front

What is a planet?

Back

A planet is a celestial body that orbits a star, is spherical in shape, and has cleared its orbit of other debris.

Front

What is a dwarf star?

Back

A dwarf star is a small star that has low luminosity and is often at the end of its life cycle.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

Front

What is a giant star?

Back

A giant star is a star that has expanded and cooled, becoming larger and more luminous than a main-sequence star.

Front

What is a supernova?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between a planet and a moon?

Back

A planet orbits a star, while a moon orbits a planet.