WHAT IS A STAR?

Section 1.3

WHAT IS A STAR?
A star is a hot glowing ball of gas (mostly hydrogen) that emits light energy
The billions of stars in the universe vary in size , shape, luminosity and colour
Very hot stars look blue, cooler stars look red

HOW DO STARS FORM

Clouds of dust and gas are pulled together by gravity as they increase in size
they become denser and hotter. Nuclear reactions occur in the core as the
hydrogen turns to helium

When H has decreased, the star contracts due to the same gravitational
force that brought the nebula together.
The star formed will be sun-like or massive

SUN-LIKE STARS
Sun-like stars do not maintain a core temperature hot enough for the nuclear
reaction
As a result the star shrinks forming a white dwarf no larger than the earth
As the white dwarf fades it evolves into a cold, dark black dwarf

MASSIVE STARS
Massive stars run out of fuel allowing gravity to take over. Gravity causes the
stars core to collapse on itself.
As a result the outer part of the star explodes- an event known as a
supernova
If the star is not destroyed by the explosion, the remaining core is known as a
neutron star of a black hole.

THE LIFE OF A STAR

FIND VIDEO

THE LIFE OF A STAR

STAR IN A BOX
http://lcogt.net/siab/
http://lcogt.net/education/starinabox

BLACK HOLES
A black hole is the core remaining after a supernova, it is a spinning object
about 30 km in diameter
A black hole is a very dense remnant of a star in which gravity is so strong
that even light ca not escape its pull. Light is pulled inward
Black holes are invisible to telescopes

BLACK HOLE
Hubble Space Feature- On website check it out

CONSTELLATIONS AND ASTERISMS

Constellations are groups of stars officially recognozed by the International
Astronimcal Union
Asterisms are groups of stars that have not been recognized officially by IAU.
The big dipper is an asterism, not a constellation. It is a part of the ursa major
constellation
Using your device find a constellation or asterism and record the results in your
workbook.