Site MapHelpFeedbackStellar Evolution
Stellar Evolution


<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=jpg::::/sites/dl/free/0072509856/220722/chapter13.jpg','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (312.0K)</a>
  • Stars form from interstellar gas clouds.
  • Once a star has formed, nuclear reactions in its core supply it with energy.
  • For most of a star’s life, its energy is supplied by the fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium atoms.
  • When a star uses up the hydrogen in its core, the core shrinks and the outer layers of the star expand and cool. This makes the star turn into a red giant.
  • Eventually a star consumes all its available fuel and collapses.
  • Stars much more massive than the Sun end their lives by exploding.
  • Stars like the Sun may lose material from their outer layers; their core then becomes a white dwarf.










ExplorationsOnline Learning Center

Home > Chapter 13