- A star begins as a nebula, a cloud of gas and dust.
- Gravity pulls the material together to form a protostar.
- When the core becomes hot enough for nuclear fusion to start, the star is born and enters the main sequence stage.
- After exhausting its hydrogen fuel, a low or medium mass star expands into a red giant.
- The outer layers drift away, forming a planetary nebula, leaving behind a white dwarf.
- The white dwarf cools over time and eventually becomes a black dwarf.
- A high mass star becomes a red supergiant after the main sequence.
- It ends its life in a supernova explosion.
- The remnant can be a neutron star or, if massive enough, a black hole.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of life cycle of a star worksheet.
