What is the average star like

Giant Molecular Clouds are big and cold collections of gas and dust. They get so big that they eventually begin to collapse on themselves. When they do, magic happens; stars begin the birthing process. They start out as little baby protostars and turn into main sequence stars.

Depending on the size of the star, the period of which thermal energy is created through the process of nuclear fusion can vary. However, for the life cycle of an average star, this can be roughly a few billion to 10 or even 15 billion years. You are probably very familiar with nuclear fusion and may or may not even know it. Nuclear fusion is the process in which hydrogen atoms turn into helium. This occurs through a sequence called the proton-proton chain. Nuclear fusion relies on carbon, nitrogen and oxygen atoms to convert hydrogen into helium atoms.

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If a protostar contains enough matter the central temperature reaches 15 million degrees centigrade. Stage 3 - At this temperature, nuclear reactions in which hydrogen fuses to form helium can start.

Stage 4 - The star begins to release energy, stopping it from contracting even more and causes it to shine. It is now a M ain Sequence Star. Stage 5 - A star of one solar mass remains in main sequence for about 10 billion years, until all of the hydrogen has fused to form helium. Stage 6 - The helium core now starts to contract further and reactions begin to occur in a shell around the core.

Stage 7 - The core is hot enough for the helium to fuse to form carbon. The outer layers begin to expand, cool and shine less brightly. The expanding star is now called a Red Giant. Stage 8 - The helium core runs out, and the outer layers drift of away from the core as a gaseous shell, this gas that surrounds the core is called a Planetary Nebula.

Average Star. White Dwarf. Massive Star. Neutron Star. Black Hole. How does the life cycle of a massive star differ from the life of an average star?