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Astronomy/Life cycle of a star

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Expert: - 2/17/2009


Question
What is the complete life cycle of a normal star, starting
with a protostar and ending with a black dwarf?

thanks.

Answer
Apparently, whomever you sent this question to was on vacation, or declined to answer it, as I just noticed it in the Question Pool.

The various stages can be summarized:

Protostar
Main Sequence Star
Red Giant
White Dwarf
Black Dwarf

This sequence only applies to stars of a few solar masses or less, which end their red giant stage by ejecting a planetary nebula, and collapsing to a white dwarf. More massive stars undergo a supernova explosion, and collapse to a neutron star or black hole.

Courtney Seligman
Professor of Astronomy
Long Beach City College

Astronomy

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Courtney Seligman

Expertise

I can answer almost any question about astronomy and related sciences, such as physics and geology. I will not answer questions about astrology and similar pseudo-scientific rubbish.

Experience

I have been a professor of astronomy for over 40 years, and am working on an online text/encyclopedia of astronomy.

Publications
Astronomical Journal, Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (too long ago to be really relevant, but you could search for Courtney Seligman on Google Scholar)

Education/Credentials
I received a BA in astronomy and physics and a MA in astronomy, both from UCLA. I was working on my doctoral dissertation when I started teaching, and discovered that I preferred teaching to research.

Awards and Honors
(too long ago to be relevant, but Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi still keep trying to get me to become a paying member)

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