Star Clusters Flashcard

Front

What is the turnoff point on the main sequence?

Back

The point where stars move away from the main sequence.

Front

How does the color of stars in a cluster relate to their temperature?

Back

Blue stars are hotter than red stars.

Front

How do stars form?

Back

Stars form when a nebula collapses and nuclear fusion occurs.

Front

What indicates that the Beehive cluster is older than the Pleiades cluster?

Back

The Beehive cluster has stars that have moved to the right of the main sequence.

Front

What is the name of the gas/dust clouds that form stars?

Back

Nebulas.

Front

What is a star cluster?

Back

A group of stars that are physically related and formed from the same giant molecular cloud.

Front

What is the main sequence in a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram?

Back

A continuous band of stars that shows a relationship between luminosity and temperature.

Front

What is nuclear fusion?

Back

The process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

Front

What is a nebula?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of a star's color?

Back

A star's color indicates its temperature, with blue being the hottest and red being the coolest.