Stars

• What does "Ad astra per aspera" mean?

  To The Stars Through Adversity
• What are stars?

  Celestial objects that can produce their own light
• What are the main components of stars?

  Stars are made up of hydrogen gas with a little helium
• What is the Sun?

  A star that sustains all forms of life on Earth
• How do stars shine?

  Stars produce light by nuclear fusion reactions that happen inside them
• What happens during the nuclear fusion process in stars?

  Hydrogen is converted into helium, producing energy as a by-product
• How old is Antares?

  11.01 million years old
• What is the color of Antares?

  Red
• What is Sirius also known as?

  Alpha Canis Majoris
• How old is the Sun?

  1. 603 billion years old
• What is the distance from the Sun to Earth?

  149 km
• What are the main characteristics of stars?

  • Color & temperature
  • Size & mass
  • Luminosity (brightness)
• What does the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram represent?

  A graphical representation of stars based on their physical attributes
• What does the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram plot against each other?

  Temperature or spectral type against luminosity or absolute magnitude
• How does the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram help astronomers?

  It helps analyze distinct stellar evolution stages and transitions
• What is plasma?

  A state of matter that makes up stars and fire
• What colors can a candle emit?

  Blue, white, orange, and red
• What does a star's color indicate?

  A star's color provides a direct measurement of its surface temperature
• What is the classification system for stars based on color?

  The Morgan-Keenan (MK) system using letters O, B, A, F, G, K, M
• How do blue stars compare to red stars?

  Blue stars are hotter and much bigger than the Sun
• What happens to stars as they go through their lives?

  They consume fuel, decrease in size, and shift in color and temperature
• How do astronomers measure the size of stars?

  In terms of the radius of our Sun
• What are main sequence stars?

  The most common type of stars that rely on nuclear fusion of hydrogen
• What is the relationship between size and mass in stars?

  Size and mass are proportional to each other
• What are dwarf stars characterized by?

  Small physical dimensions and lower mass compared to other types of stars
• What are red dwarfs?

  The most common and numerous stars that belong to the lower end of the main sequence
• What defines a brown dwarf?

  Failed stars that are not big enough to shine
• What is a white dwarf?

  Small, dense remnants of stars that have exhausted their nuclear fuel
• What characterizes supergiants?

  They are among the most luminous objects in the night sky
• What happens to a red giant during its evolution?

  It expands and becomes cooler than main sequence stars of similar masses
• What is luminosity in stars?

  The total amount of energy emitted by stars
• What factors affect the luminosity of stars?

  Surface temperature, size, mass, chemical composition, age, and distance from observer
• How does surface temperature affect luminosity?

  Hottest stars tend to shine brighter than cooler stars
• How does size and mass affect luminosity?

  Bigger and more massive stars tend to emit more energy and appear brighter
• How does chemical composition affect luminosity?

  The more hydrogen a star contains, the brighter it appears
• How does age affect luminosity?

  Younger stars appear brighter than older stars
• How does distance from the observer affect luminosity?

  Stars that are nearer appear brighter than those that are farther
• What are the stages in the life cycle of a star?

  1. Nebula
  2. Protostar
  3. Main Sequence
  4. Red Giants/Supergiants
  5. White Dwarf
  6. Black Dwarf (theoretical)
  7. Supernova (for supergiants)
  8. Neutron Star (for supergiants)
  9. Black Hole (for supergiants)
• What happens during the protostar stage?

  Gas particles collide, producing heat energy and forming a warm clump of molecules
• What is a nebula?

  A vast cloud of gas and dust in space where stars are born