HR Diagram and Star Life Cycle

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What is the H-R Diagram?

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The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram (H-R Diagram) is a scatter plot of stars showing the relationship between their absolute magnitudes or luminosities versus their stellar classifications or effective temperatures.

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What are the main categories of stars on the H-R Diagram?

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The main categories include Main Sequence, Red Giants, Supergiants, and White Dwarfs.

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What is a Main Sequence star?

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A Main Sequence star is a star that is in the stable phase of its life cycle, where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core. The Sun is an example of a Main Sequence star.

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What is a Stellar Nebula?

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A Stellar Nebula is a large cloud of gas and dust in space where new stars are born.

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What determines the life cycle path of a star?

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The mass of the star determines its life cycle path, influencing its temperature, luminosity, and eventual fate.

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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 causes the formation of a Black Hole?

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A Black Hole forms when a massive star collapses under its own gravity after exhausting its nuclear fuel.

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What is a Red Giant?

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A Red Giant is a late stage in the life cycle of a star, characterized by a large radius and a reddish color, occurring after the star has exhausted hydrogen in its core.

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What is a Supernova?

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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.

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What is the difference between a White Dwarf and a Neutron Star?

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A White Dwarf is the remnant of a low to medium mass star that has shed its outer layers, while a Neutron Star is the collapsed core of a massive star that has undergone a supernova explosion.