Cosmic Connections
What famous astronomer said 'we are made of star stuff'?
Carl Sagan
What type of star explodes In a Type ll supernova?
a massive star (8+ masses)
What is the main element stars fuse during most of their lives?
hydrogen
Whats left if the core is small enough?
A neutron star
What triggers the explosion?
the rebound of the collapsing core
What do supernova spread through space?
Heavy elements
What element builds up in the core before collapse?
iron
What force pulls a stars matter inward?
gravity
Whats left if the core is very massive?
A black hole
What is the bright flash we see called?
a supernova
What can form from the dust and gas of old stars?
New stars and planets
Why cant a star fuse iron?
fusion of iron doesnt release energy
What is the process that powers stars and makes them shine?
nuclear fusion
What is the cloud of gas and dust left behind called?
A supernova remnants
How long does the core collapses take?
less than 1 second
What type of supernova happens in a white dwarf instead of a massive star?
What happens to the core when fusion stops?
it collapses under
What determines how a star will die?
its mass
What element makes up most of a neutron start?
Neutrons
What travels outward,blowing off the stars layers?
a shock wave
What famous supernova was observed in 1987?
Supernova 1987A
What particles are released in huge numbers during collapse?
neutrinos
What is the name for a star like our sun when it runs out of hydrogen?
red giant
What type of a star can spin rapidly and send out radio waves?
How much brighter can a supernova be than the sun?
millions to billions brighter