Star in a Box

What does 'Star in a Box' allow you to explore?

• The lifecycle of a planet

• The lifecycle of a galaxy

• The lifecycle of a black hole

• The lifecycle of a star

Directions: Click open the lid. 

Set the Mass to 1 x Sun. 

Look at the Graph

What unit is used to measure the surface temperature of a star?

• Rankine

• Fahrenheit

• Celsius

• Kelvin

What does the luminosity compare the star's brightness to?

• The Moon

• A black hole

• The Earth

• The Sun

What is the mass of the Sun in Solar Mass?

• 0.5 Solar Mass

• 1 Solar Mass

• 2 Solar Mass

• 10 Solar Mass

Directions: Notice the Mass in the bottom left corner is set to 1. This is considered to be a small mass star

In the bottom right corner change the speed from fastest to “normal” by using the drop down arrow.  At the top of the graph notice the Stage the star is currently in: Main Sequence. Click the play button

What 2 Stages (top of the graph) does the star go through? _________, ____________

• red giant

• supernova

• white dwarf

• neutron star

1. Small mass stars end their lives as a __________

Directions: Now change the mass of the star (in the bottom left) to 10.  Click Play.

What 2 Stages (top of the graph) does this star go through?

• neutron star

• red giant

• white dwarf

• black hole

What event happens after a red giant that turns the star into a neutron star?

Large mass stars end their lives as __________

Directions: Now change the mass of the star (in the bottom left) to 40. Click Play.

What 3 Stages (top of the graph) does this star go through?

• red giant

• white dwarf

• black hole

• blue giant