Life Cycle of a Star

Front

What is a protostar?

Back

A protostar is a hot ball of mostly hydrogen that forms from a stellar nebula, where nuclear fusion has not yet started.

Front

What is the heaviest element found in a red giant star?

Back

Iron (Fe) is one of the heaviest elements found in a red giant star.

Front

What stage of life is the sun currently in?

Back

The sun is currently in the Main Sequence stage.

Front

Which type of star has the shortest life span?

Back

Very High Mass Star has the shortest life span.

Front

What is created when a low-medium mass star's atmosphere expands outward at the end of the red giant stage?

Back

A Planetary Nebula is created when a low-medium mass star's atmosphere expands outward.

Front

What is the life cycle of a star?

Back

The life cycle of a star includes stages such as stellar nebula, protostar, main sequence, red giant, and either planetary nebula or supernova.

Front

What happens during the main sequence stage of a star?

Back

During the main sequence stage, a star fuses hydrogen into helium in its core, producing energy.

Front

What is a white dwarf?

Back

A white dwarf is the remnant core of a low to medium mass star after it has shed its outer layers.

Front

What is a supernova?

Back

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

Front

What is a neutron star?

Back

A neutron star is the collapsed core of a massive star that has undergone a supernova explosion.