Star Phases

Front

What is the final fate of our sun?

Back

Our sun will not supernova; it will become a red giant and then a planetary nebula before leaving behind a white dwarf.

Front

What stage of a star's life cycle is characterized by a cloud of gas and dust?

Back

Nebula.

Front

What is a stellar nebula made up of?

Back

Clouds of gas and dust.

Front

What is a protostar?

Back

A young star that glows as gravity brings it together.

Front

What is the most important characteristic of a star?

Back

Mass.

Front

What stage comes after a nebula in a star's life cycle?

Back

Protostar.

Front

What is a red giant?

Back

A late stage in a star's life cycle where it expands and cools after exhausting its hydrogen fuel.

Front

What is a supernova?

Back

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

Front

What is a white dwarf?

Back

The remnant core of a star that has shed its outer layers after becoming a red giant.

Front

What is the main sequence phase of a star?

Back

The longest phase in a star's life cycle where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core.