life cycle of stars

Front

What is the life cycle of a star?

Back

The life cycle of a star is the series of stages a star goes through from its formation in a nebula to its eventual death, which can result in a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.

Front

What stage is our sun currently in?

Back

Main Sequence

Front

What is nuclear fusion?

Back

Nuclear fusion is the process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy in the process. This is how stars produce light and heat.

Front

What do main sequence stars primarily fuse?

Back

Hydrogen

Front

What happens to a star when it exhausts its hydrogen fuel?

Back

It expands and may enter the red giant phase, where it begins to fuse helium into heavier elements like carbon and oxygen.

Front

What is a red giant star?

Back

A red giant star is a late stage in a star's life cycle where it has expanded and cooled after exhausting its hydrogen fuel.

Front

What is the final phase of our sun?

Back

White Dwarf

Front

What is a supernova?

Back

A supernova is a powerful and luminous 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 a black hole?

Back

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

Front

What is a neutron star?

Back

A neutron star is the remnant core of a massive star that has undergone a supernova explosion, composed almost entirely of neutrons.