Stars are born and die from "summary" of A Short History of Nearly Everything: Special Illustrated Edition by Bill Bryson
Stars are colossal, glowing balls of gas that have an immense impact on the universe. They are not eternal; they are born and they die. The life cycle of a star is a complex and fascinating process that spans billions of years. Stars are born from massive clouds of gas and dust known as nebulae. Gravity causes these clouds to collapse and condense, forming a dense core. As the core becomes denser, pressure and temperature increase, leading to nuclear fusion. This fusion process releases an enormous amount of energy, causing the star to shine brightly. During its main sequence phase, a star will burn hydrogen at its core, converting it into helium. This process generates the energy that sustains the star and allows it to shine. However, stars are not immortal. Eventually, they will exhaust their hydrogen fuel and enter the next phase of their life cycle. As the hydrogen fuel runs out, the core of the star contracts and the outer layers expand, causing the star to swell up into a red giant. In this phase, the star burns helium and other heavier elements, producing even more energy. Depending on its mass, a star can follow different paths in its evolution. A low mass star like our sun will eventually shed its outer layers, forming a planetary nebula, while the core collapses to form a white dwarf. On the other hand, a high mass star will undergo a dramatic explosion known as a supernova, which can briefly outshine an entire galaxy. The remnants of a supernova explosion can form a neutron star or even a black hole, depending on the mass of the star. These exotic objects have extreme properties and play a crucial role in the cosmic ecosystem.- Stars are not eternal beings; they are born, they shine brightly, and eventually, they die in spectacular fashion. The life cycle of a star is a remarkable journey that shapes the very fabric of the universe.
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