Stars are born, live, and die in fascinating ways. In this post, we’ll explore the life cycle of a star, from its formation in a nebula to its explosive end as a supernova.

Step 1: Formation in a Nebula

A star begins its life in a nebula, a giant cloud of gas and dust. Gravity causes parts of the nebula to collapse, forming dense regions that heat up and eventually become protostars.

Step 2: Main Sequence

Once nuclear fusion begins in the core of the protostar, it becomes a main-sequence star, like our Sun. This phase lasts for most of a star’s life and is characterized by the fusion of hydrogen into helium.

Step 3: The Red Giant Phase

As a star exhausts its hydrogen fuel, it expands into a red giant. In this phase, the star begins fusing heavier elements, such as helium and carbon.

Step 4: Supernova or White Dwarf

When massive stars reach the end of their lives, they explode in a supernova, creating elements like gold and iron and sometimes leaving behind a neutron star or black hole. Smaller stars, like the Sun, shed their outer layers and become white dwarfs.

Understanding the life cycle of stars helps us appreciate the dynamic processes that shape the universe.