• Question: Why do stars die?

    Asked by sent520data to Viviene DC, Vicky F, Tom, Hamish, christinaschoettler on 7 Apr 2025.
    • Photo: Christina Schoettler

      Christina Schoettler answered on 7 Apr 2025:

      The main reason why stars die, is that they run out of fuel to burn.

      Stars are made up mainly of hydrogen and helium and at their cores they fuse hydrogen into helium and helium into other heavier elements. The reservoir of these gases is huge, but eventually stars run out of fuel to burn.

      They are in delicate balance between gravity wanting to collapse inwards and radiation from this nuclear fusion pushing outwards for most of the life of a star. When this balance is broken, then the stars will move towards their end of life evolution.

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