Star Life Cycle

This simulation follows a star from nebula to remnant. Students choose a starting mass of 1, 3, 15 or 30 solar masses, let Auto-play run, or untick it and scrub the stage slider from 0 to 5 by hand. The readouts give the stage name, surface temperature, size and main-sequence lifetime. Low-mass stars end as white dwarfs, heavier stars explode as supernovae and leave neutron stars or black holes. Teachers can use it to show how mass decides a star's fate.

• Start with 1 solar mass (Sun) and watch each stage name in the Stage readout.
• Change Starting mass to 30 solar masses and compare the final remnant.
• Untick Auto-play and drag the Stage slider to pause on the red giant stage.
• Compare Main-sequence lifetime for each mass choice.
• Watch the Surface temperature readout rise and fall through the stages.

1. 1Order the stages in the life cycle of a star.
2. 2Explain that a star's initial mass decides its lifetime and final remnant.
3. 3Compare the fates of Sun-like stars and massive stars.
4. 4Describe white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes as remnants.

Questions teachers ask