Stellar Evolution Vocab Flashcard

Front

Process where multiple atomic nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus, releasing significant energy.

Back

Nuclear Fusion

Front

Cloud of dust or matter

Back

Nebula

Front

Force drawing objects to a planet's center

Back

Gravitational Force

Front

A dying star in the last stages of evolution with no hydrogen in the core.

Back

Red Giant

Front

Formed when a low-mass star exhausts its nuclear fuel and loses outer layers as a planetary nebula.

Back

White Dwarf

Front

Two stars orbiting a common center of mass

Back

Binary Star System

Front

Star that suddenly brightens due to a catastrophic explosion ejecting most of its mass.

Back

Supernova

Front

Celestial object with small radius, high density, mostly neutrons, formed by gravitational collapse of a massive star's remnant after a supernova.

Back

Neutron Star

Front

A rapidly rotating neutron star emitting regular pulses of radio waves at up to 1000 pulses/sec.

Back

Pulsar

Front

Most violent explosions in the universe, releasing more energy in 10 seconds than the sun in 10 billion years.

Back

Gamma Ray Burst