Star Clusters Flashcard

Front

What are nebulas?

Back

Nebulas are gas and dust clouds in space where stars are formed.

Front

What is the turnoff point on the main sequence?

Back

The turnoff point is where stars move away from the main sequence.

Front

How do astronomers determine the age of a star cluster?

Back

Astronomers determine the age of a star cluster by using an H-R diagram.

Front

What are star clusters?

Back

Star clusters are groupings of stars that formed together and stick together due to mutual gravitational attraction.

Front

What is the main sequence in the context of star clusters?

Back

The main sequence is a band running from the top left to the bottom right on an H-R diagram.

Front

What is a protostar?

Back

A protostar is an early stage in the formation of a star, where gas and dust are collapsing under gravity.

Front

What is a supernova?

Back

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

Front

What is a neutron star?

Back

A neutron star is the remnant core of a massive star after a supernova, composed mostly of neutrons.

Front

What is the H-R diagram?

Back

The H-R diagram (Hertzsprung-Russell diagram) is a scatter plot of stars showing the relationship between their absolute magnitudes and stellar classifications.

Front

What is the significance of the main sequence?

Back

The main sequence is significant because it represents the stable phase of a star's life where it fuses hydrogen into helium.