The Life Cycle of Stars

Kepler's Supernova

An X-ray, Optical, and Infrared composite view of the Kepler's Supernova Remnant

While a look into the night sky may make you think that the stars are constant and never-changing, in reality, stars live an extremely exciting life with constant change. The mass with which they are "born" sets them down a somewhat set path of stellar evolution. In this topic, you will explore the life cycle of stars. In addition, you will learn about hydrostatic equilibrium, the force that keeps main sequence stars stable for so long.

Essential Questions

  • How do stars form?
  • What are the characteristics of each type of star?
  • What is the end of a star’s life cycle?
  • What is a black hole?