Life Cycles of the Stars | Research & Encyclopedia Articles

Life Cycles of the Stars

Overview

Until the last half of the nineteenth century, astronomy was principally concerned with the accurate description of the movements of planets and stars. However, developments in electromagnetic theories of light, along with the articulation of quantum and relativity theories at the start of the twentieth century, allowed astronomers to probe the inner workings of the stars. Of primary concern was an attempt to coherently explain the life cycle of the stars and to reconcile the predictions of newly advanced physical theories with astronomical observation. Profound questions regarding the birth and death of stars led to the stunning conclusion that, in a very real sense, humans are a product of stellar evolution.

Background

It is now known that the mass of a star determines the ultimate fate of a star. Stars that are more massive burn their fuel quicker and lead shorter lives. These facts would have astonished astronomers working at the dawn of the twentieth century. At that time, understanding of the source of the heat and light generated by the Sun and stars was hindered by a lack of understanding of nuclear processes.

Based on Newtonian concepts of gravity, many astronomers understood that stars were formed in clouds of gas and dust, termed nebulae, that were measured to be light years across.

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