Evolution of a massive star. Illustration of the main stages in the life of a massive star. A star is born from the gravitational contraction of clouds of gas, such as a the material in a nebula, initially forming a protostar. Due to the contraction, the temperature of the gas increases until it triggers the nuclear fusion of hydrogen atoms, and the star enters its main sequence stage. Once its fuel runs out, a massive star expands, cools and changes colour to become a red supergiant. It eventually undergoes a supernova explosion which may leave behind either a black hole or a neutron star. Very large, massive stars burn their fuel much faster than smaller stars and may only last a few hundred thousand years. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library |
Bildgröße: | 4181 px × 4181 px |
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