Star Life Cycle

Stars start out their life as huge clouds of gas and dust. Over millions of years, the gas contracts due to the pull of gravity and the internal temperature of the gas rises. Eventually, if the mass is large enough, nuclear fusion will begin to occur and the gas cloud will become a star. Some massive stars will burn bright and hot for short periods of time. Other smaller stars, will burn for a very long time.

Learn more about the Life Cycle of Stars! View the interactive below!

Learn more about the Life Cycle of Stars! View the interactive below!

The life cycle of a star is not a set cycle. Stars with different masses can journey through the cycle differently. Take a look below.

Star Life Cycle

Our Sun goes through a similar cycle like that of low mass stars. Take a look below!

Sun Life Cycle

See description of diagram

Test what you have learned about the life cycle of stars by completing the self-assessment below.

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