Life Cycle of a Star

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What is a protostar?

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A protostar is the early stage in the formation of a star, where gas and dust begin to collapse under gravity, leading to the formation of a dense core.

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What is the main sequence stage of a star?

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The main sequence is the longest stage in a star's life cycle, where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core, producing energy and light.

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What occurs during the Red Giant phase?

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During the Red Giant phase, a star expands and becomes larger and brighter as it exhausts hydrogen in its core and begins to fuse helium.

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What is a supernova?

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A supernova is a powerful explosion that occurs at the end of a massive star's life cycle, resulting in the star's outer layers being expelled into space.

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What is a white dwarf?

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A white dwarf is the remnant core of a star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel and shed its outer layers, typically very dense and hot.

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What happens to a star after it becomes a supernova?

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After a supernova, the core may collapse into a neutron star or a black hole, depending on the mass of the original star.

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What is a black hole?

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

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What is a planetary nebula?

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A planetary nebula is a shell of gas that is ejected from a star during the later stages of its life, often surrounding a white dwarf.

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What is the life cycle of a low-mass star?

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A low-mass star goes through stages: protostar, main sequence, red giant, planetary nebula, and finally becomes a white dwarf.

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What is the life cycle of a massive star?

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A massive star goes through stages: protostar, main sequence, red giant, supernova, and can end as a neutron star or black hole.