Large star life cycle

• Main sequence star [1]

  • hydrogen nuclei formed together to form helium
  • releases energy as light and heat
• Red supergiant [2]

  • nuclear fusion changes more and more of the star's mass into energy
  • the star expands into a red supergiant
• Supernova [3]

  • the largest stars explode in a supernova
  • supernova produces elements heavier than iron and scatters them throughout the universe
• Black hole or neutron star [4]

  • the supernova leaves behind a black hole or a neutron star
• Nebula collapses under gravity -> a main sequence star

  main sequence star -> red supergiant

  red supergiant -> supernova

  supernova -> black hole or neutron star