What is the lifecycle of a star?
Understand the Problem
The question involves understanding the lifecycle of stars, including the processes and stages they undergo from birth to death and the key characteristics of each phase.
Answer
Nebula, Protostar, Main Sequence, Red Giant, White Dwarf, Neutron Star, or Black Hole
The lifecycle of a star includes: Nebula, Protostar, Main Sequence, Red Giant, and ends as a White Dwarf, Neutron Star, or Black Hole.
Answer for screen readers
The lifecycle of a star includes: Nebula, Protostar, Main Sequence, Red Giant, and ends as a White Dwarf, Neutron Star, or Black Hole.
More Information
Stars begin their life in stellar nurseries called nebulae. Over time, they form into protostars and enter the main sequence phase where they spend most of their life burning hydrogen. Depending on their mass, they expand into red giants or supergiants before ending their life as a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume all stars end their life the same way. A star's mass significantly impacts its final stage.
Sources
- Life Cycle of a Star - The Schools' Observatory - schoolsobservatory.org
- The Life Cycles of Stars: How Supernovae Are Formed - NASA - imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov
- Life Cycle of a Star - Seven Main Stages of a Star - BYJU'S - byjus.com