Question 1

What is a star?

Accepted Answer

A star is a big, glowing ball of gas in space. It shines because it's really hot and gives off light and heat, just like our Sun.

Question 2

How are stars born?

Accepted Answer

Stars are born in big clouds of gas and dust called nebulas. When parts of the cloud get dense and hot enough, they start glowing and form a baby star.

Question 3

What is a nebula?

Accepted Answer

A nebula is a huge cloud of gas and dust in space. It's the place where new stars are made.

Question 4

Why do stars shine?

Accepted Answer

Stars shine because they're extremely hot. The heat comes from a reaction inside them that turns gas into energy and light.

Question 5

How long does a star live?

Accepted Answer

Stars can live for millions to billions of years. Big stars live shorter lives, and smaller stars can last much longer.

Question 6

What happens when a star gets old?

Accepted Answer

When a star gets old, it starts to swell up and becomes very big, called a red giant. After that, it can explode or shrink down.

Question 7

What is a red giant?

Accepted Answer

A red giant is a very large star that has expanded as it gets older. It looks red because its outer layers cool down compared to when it was younger.

Question 8

What is a supernova?

Accepted Answer

A supernova is a huge explosion that happens when a big star dies. It bursts out lots of light and sometimes creates new stars.

Question 9

Do all stars become supernovas?

Accepted Answer

No, only very big stars become supernovas. Smaller stars, like our Sun, end their lives in a different way.

Question 10

What happens to smaller stars when they die?

Accepted Answer

Smaller stars, like our Sun, turn into white dwarfs. They shrink down and stop making light, becoming small and faint over time.

Question 11

What is a white dwarf?

Accepted Answer

A white dwarf is what's left after a small star stops shining. It's very small and dense, glowing faintly as it cools down.

Question 12

Can new stars be born from supernova explosions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, supernova explosions spread dust and gas into space, which can help form new stars. It's like recycling in space!

Question 13

What happens to the dust and gas from a supernova?

Accepted Answer

The dust and gas mix with other space materials to form new stars and planets. It helps keep the cycle of star formation going.

Question 14

Why do stars change over time?

Accepted Answer

Stars change as they use up their fuel and get older. Their looks and sizes change as they go through different stages of their life.

Question 15

Is the Sun a star?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Sun is a star. It's special to us because it's the closest star to Earth and gives us light and warmth.

Question 16

Will our Sun become a supernova?

Accepted Answer

No, our Sun is too small to become a supernova. It will turn into a red giant and then become a white dwarf.

Question 17

How do stars end their lives?

Accepted Answer

Stars end their lives in different ways depending on their size. Big stars explode as supernovas, while smaller stars quietly become white dwarfs.

Question 18

What's inside a star?

Accepted Answer

Inside a star, there are gases like hydrogen that react to produce energy and light. This reaction is what makes the star shine.

Question 19

Can we see other stars in the sky?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can see lots of stars at night when the sky is dark. They look like tiny dots of light far away in space.

Question 20

Why are some stars brighter than others?

Accepted Answer

Some stars are brighter because they're closer to us or they're bigger and hotter. Brightness depends on size, temperature, and distance from Earth.

The Life Cycle of a Star: From Formation to Supernova - 20 FAQs Explained Simply