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Life Cycle of Stars: From Nebulas to White Dwarfs and Beyond

Explore the fascinating journey of stars, from their formation in nebulas to their eventual transformation into white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes. Learn about the steps involved, such as nuclear fusion, main sequence, red giants, and planetary nebulae. Discover the different outcomes based on star mass, including supernovas and the creation of high mass elements. Also, dive into the intriguing realm of black holes, where gravity is so intense that even light cannot escape.

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Life Cycle of Stars: From Nebulas to White Dwarfs and Beyond

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  1. Life Cycle of Stars • 1st Step: • Stars form from nebulas • Regions of concentrated dust and gas • Gas and dust begin to collide, contract and heat up • All due to gravity

  2. Life Cycle of Stars • 2nd Step: • As nebula contracts, a small star is formed • Called a protostar • Eventually, the protostar will begin nuclear fusion • Hydrogen protons attract to each other • Strong nuclear force • Fusion begins • Necessary for stars to survive

  3. Life Cycle of Stars • 3rd Step: • Star joins the main sequence • 90% of stars spend life here • Nuclear fusion = Hydrogen into Helium • Mass of star determines location on main sequence

  4. Life Cycle of Stars • Beginning of the End: • Stars begin to die when they run out of hydrogen • Gravity begins to take over • Star begins to shrink; outer core of hydrogen begins to fuse • Star gets bigger

  5. Life Cycle of Stars • Beginning of the End: • When star gets bigger, it cools down • Red giant • Eventually, star can fuse helium into other elements • Carbon, oxygen, and other heavier elements

  6. Life Cycle of Stars • Beginning of the End: • Once star runs out of “fuel”, star shrinks under its own gravity • Turn into a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole

  7. Life Cycle of Stars • Death of Stars: • What stars end up as depend on mass • Low and Medium mass stars • Planetary nebula --------- white dwarf • High mass stars • Supernova --------- neutron star or black hole

  8. Life Cycle of Stars • Death of Stars: Low and Medium Mass Main Sequence Star Red Giant Planetary Nebula White Dwarf

  9. Life Cycle of Stars • Death of Stars: High Mass Main Sequence Star Red Super Giant Supernova Neutron Star Black Hole

  10. Black Holes • What is a Black Hole??? • An object so massive and dense that not even light can escape its gravity • The end result from a supernova of a star that has a mass greater than 3x the sun Black Holes Info Sheet

  11. Life Cycle of Stars • High Mass Stars: • Mass greater than 8x our sun • Create high mass elements such as iron • Neutron Star • Formed if remaining star < 3x sun’s mass • Black Holes • Formed if remaining star > 3x sun’s mass

  12. Life Cycle of the Sun • As fusion begins to slow down, the core of the sun will contract • Temperature in the core will rise • The outer layers of the sun will expand, consuming in the inner planets • Sun will become a Red Giant

  13. Life Cycle of the Sun

  14. Life Cycle of the Sun • Core of the sun will begin to fuse helium into larger elements such as carbon and oxygen • Continuing over the next 100 million years… • Core will become entirely carbon and oxygen • Core will contract • Outer layers will expand • Outer layers will form a planetary nebula • Core of sun will become a white dwarf

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