star evolution

Stars form from clouds of gas and dust, called nebulae, which collapse under gravity. They become hot, dense cores that mainly fuse hydrogen into helium, releasing energy and shining brightly. Depending on their initial size, stars go through different life stages: small stars like the Sun expand into giants and eventually shed outer layers, leaving behind dense cores called white dwarfs. Larger stars burn through their fuel faster, often exploding as supernovae and becoming neutron stars or black holes. Throughout their lives, stars change size, brightness, and structure, ultimately ending as remnants that enrich the cosmos with elements vital for new stars and planets.