Life cycle of a star/HR diagram

Front

What is the life cycle of a star?

Back

The life cycle of a star includes several stages: Nebula, Protostar, Main Sequence, Red Giant, and either a White Dwarf, Neutron Star, or Black Hole.

Front

What is a Nebula?

Back

A Nebula is a giant cloud of dust and gas in space, where stars are born.

Front

What is a Protostar?

Back

A Protostar is a 'baby' star that is still gathering mass in a Nebula and has not yet begun nuclear fusion.

Front

What is the Main Sequence phase of a star?

Back

The Main Sequence is the longest phase in a star's life cycle, where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core.

Front

What happens during the Red Giant phase?

Back

During the Red Giant phase, an average star expands its outer layers, increasing in size and luminosity.

Front

What is a White Dwarf?

Back

A White Dwarf is the remnant core of a star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel and shed its outer layers.

Front

What is a Neutron Star?

Back

A Neutron Star is a very dense star formed from the remnants of a supernova explosion, primarily composed of neutrons.

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 does the HR Diagram represent?

Back

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

Front

Where are blue stars located on the HR Diagram?

Back

Blue stars are found in the top left of the HR Diagram and are characterized as hot and bright.