Stellar Death: Evolution of High-Mass Stars

These flashcards cover critical vocabulary and concepts related to the evolution and death of high-mass stars, focusing on supernova phenomena and processes involved in stellar explosions.

High-Mass Stars

Stars with about 1.5 solar masses or greater that burn hydrogen via the CNO cycle.

CNO Cycle

A process of hydrogen burning in high-mass stars, where carbon acts as a nuclear catalyst.

Supernova

A powerful explosion of a star, occurring at the end of its life cycle after core collapse.

Core Collapse

The rapid inward fall of a star's core due to gravitational forces when fusion ceases.

Neutron Star

An extremely dense stellar remnant formed after the collapse of a high-mass star.

Type II Supernova

The result of core-collapse of high-mass stars, resulting in the outer layers being blown outward in an explosion.

Iron Fusion

The process that occurs in high-mass stars at their end stage, forming iron from silicon, which does not release energy.

Electron Capture

A process where protons and electrons combine to form neutrons, occurring during the core collapse of high-mass stars.

Thermonuclear Runaway

A process in which a white dwarf exceeds the Chandrasekhar limit, leading to an explosive carbon fusion.

Explosive Nucleosynthesis

The formation of new elements during a supernova explosion due to explosive nuclear fusion.

Standard Candles

Type Ia supernovae used for measuring distances in the universe due to consistent light curves.

Neutrinos

Very light particles produced during core collapse, playing a crucial role in supernova explosions.

Hypernova

An extremely energetic explosion, more than 100 times as powerful as a typical supernova, potentially involving powerful jets.

Stellar Ejecta

The material expelled from a star during a supernova explosion, which contributes to the formation of new stars.

Chandrasekhar Limit

The maximum mass (1.4 solar masses) that a white dwarf can support against gravitational collapse.