Stellar evolution

In astronomy, stellar evolution is the sequence of changes that a star undergoes during its lifetime, the millions or billions of years during which it emits light and heat. Over the course of that time, the star will change radically.

Related Topics:
Astronomy - Star

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Stellar evolution is not studied by observing the life cycle of a single star—most stellar changes occur too slowly to be detected even over many centuries. Instead, astrophysicists come to understand how stars evolve by observing numerous stars, each at a different point in its life cycle, and simulating stellar structure with computer models.

Related Topics:
Observing - Astrophysicists - Stellar structure - Computer model

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