life cycle of stars

• Nebula


  A cloud of gas and dust in outer space. If massive enough, these can collapse under gravity to form a protostar.
• Formation of a star

  1. Nebula

  2. Protostar

  3. Main sequence star
• Main sequence star


  • The force of gravity holding the star together is balanced by higher pressure due to the high temperatures
• Life cycle of a star similar in size to the Sun

  1. Main sequence star

  2. Red giant star

  3. White dwarf

  4. Black dwarf
• Life cycle of a star far greater in mass than the Sun


  1. Main sequence star

  2. Red super giant star

  3. Supernova

  4. Neutron star or black hole
• Gravity and nuclear fusion reactions drive the formation and development of stars
• Stars with different masses grow and change throughout the different stages of their lives