The universe is a tapestry of countless stars, each with its own story. But how do these luminous bodies come into existence? Stars are born in the vast clouds of dust and gas known as nebulae. Over time, gravity pulls the particles in these clouds together, heating up as they collide. When the temperature inside the core of this protostar reaches a critical point, nuclear fusion ignites, giving birth to a glowing star.
Our Sun is one such star, a giant nuclear reactor that has been burning for over 4.5 billion years. However, not all stars share the same fate. Depending on their mass, some will end their lives as neutron stars, while others might explode in spectacular supernovae.
The lifecycle of a star is one of the universe's most captivating mysteries, a dance of matter and energy that continues to inspire astronomers and dreamers alike.
Curious to learn more? Check out our other Stellar Mysteries!