Stars have fascinating life cycles, transforming over millions or even billions of years.
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Let’s explore eight key stages in the life of a star.
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Stars are born in massive clouds of gas and dust called nebulae. Gravity pulls this material together, creating the first stages of a star.
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As gravity pulls in more gas, a hot, dense core forms, called a protostar. This is the beginning of a new star but isn’t shining brightly yet.
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When nuclear fusion begins, the star enters its main sequence phase. Here, it burns hydrogen to produce energy, making it shine brightly.
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When a star runs out of hydrogen, it expands and cools, becoming a red giant. This stage makes the star larger and redder as it fuses heavier elements.
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For medium-sized stars, outer layers are shed, creating a colourful shell of gas known as a planetary nebula. This marks the near-end of the star’s life.
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The remaining core of a medium-sized star becomes a white dwarf. It’s a small, hot star remnant that slowly cools over time.
Photo Credit: NASA
For massive stars, the end comes in a dramatic explosion called a supernova.