Physics stars

Nebula

A giant cloud of dust and gas in space

Interstellar dust and gas

An accumulation of dust, gas and plasma in our and other universes

Protostar

The earliest phase of an evolving star

Main sequence

Stars that follow a general trend when it comes to luminosity, size and temperature

Hydrostatic equilibrium

A balance between the inwards force of gravity and the outwards force of pressure

Gas and radiation pressure

Outward pressure in a star caused by fusion in the nucleus

White dwarf

The core of a red giant, very dense and hot

Planetary nebula

A ring shaped nebula formed by an expanding shell of gas around an ageing star

Electron degeneracy

Pressure which resists being compressed by matter

Chandrasekhar limit

Maximum mass of a stable white dwarf

Neutron star

Collapsed core of a massive star consisting of mainly neutrons. Can’t be seen but has a pulse

Black hole

A region of space with a massive gravitational field that no matter or radiation can escape

Singularity

Infinite density centre of a black hole

Hertzsprung russel diagram

A diagram which displays all the stars in our galaxy based on their temperature and luminosity

Evolution of a low mass star

Nebula, protostar, main sequence, red giant, planetary nebula, white dwarf

Evolution of a high mass star

Nebula, protostar, main sequence, red supergiant, supernova, neutron star (black hole)