Lulwa Al Baker

Stellar evolution - What is the star cycle?

Started Sept. 9, 2023

Abstract or project description

This paper will discuss each cycle of stellar evolution, from nebulae to neutron stars and black holes. Stars start off as a cloud of dust and gas which are also known as nebulae. Once they start gaining more dust particles their cores start go get hot moving them to the next phase called the proto star. As the size and mass of this protostar increases, it becomes a main sequence star. What distinguishes main sequence stars from other phases of the star cycle is that main sequence stars convert hydrogen to helium in their cores, releasing a lot of energy. Depending on the mass it gains it could either be a red giant or a red super giant which determines what path it will take later on. The star generates energy through a process called nuclear fusion but once it cant, the force of gravity pushes on the star creating more density and pressure that causes the star to explode, this explosion is known as the supernova. Depending on the mass of the star, this determines whether the star becomes a neutron star or a black hole. If it immediately becomes a black hole, that explosion is called the hypernova.