Star Formation

1) Nebula  Cloud of interstellar gas and dust  Collapses due to its own gravity  Begins Star Formation

2) Protostar  Rotating disk shape  Hot condensed object at the center  Fusion begins

3) Main Sequence Star  Fusing Hydrogen into Helium  Longest phase of Sun’s Lifecycle

4) Red Giant  Sun expands beyond Venus’ orbit

5) Planetary Nebula  Outer layer of Star is driven off

6) White Dwarf  No longer Nuclear  Supported by resistance of electrons being squeezed together

7) Black Dwarf  Sun runs out of energy

Massive Stars 1) Nebula 2) Protostar 3) Main Sequence Star 4) Several Red Giant Phases Until iron has formed

Neutron Star  Extremely dense – 100 trillion times more dense than water  Very Small – a radius of approx. 10 km

Supernova  Massive explosion that blows off outer portion of neutron star

Black Hole  Only the most massive stars (20 times the size of the Sun)  Collapse of star continues forever  Gravity so strong that light cannot escape