WebSep 4, 2013 · A supernova is a large explosion that takes place at the end of a star's life cycle. On the left is Supernova 1987A after the star has exploded. On the right is the star before it exploded. This article is part of the NASA Knows! (Grades 5-8) series. A supernova is the explosion of a star. It is the largest explosion that takes place in space. WebMay 18, 2024 · 1. Neutron stars start their lives with a bang. When a star that is eight times larger than the Sun ends its life, it does not go gentle into that good night. Shifting pressure in its core causes it to collapse and trigger a supernova, the one of the largest explosions in the universe. The initial flash of light, which can outshine the star’s ...

What Is a Nebula? NASA Space Place – NASA Science for …

WebMar 31, 2024 · How do stars form in a nebula? Nebulae are made of dust and gases—mostly hydrogen and helium. The dust and gases in a nebula are very spread out, but gravity can slowly begin to pull together clumps … WebSome stars burn out instead of fading. These stars end their evolutions in massive cosmic explosions known as supernovae. When supernovae explode, they jettison matter into space at some... rock climbing staten island ny

Astronomy for Kids: Stars - Ducksters

Astronomers estimate that the universe could contain up to one septillion stars – which in numbers is 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Our Milky Way alone contains more than 100 billion, including our most well-studied star, the Sun. Stars are giant balls of hot gas – mostly hydrogen, with some helium and small … See more Stars form in large clouds of gas and dust called molecular clouds. Molecular clouds range from 1,000 to 10 million times the mass of the Sun and can span as much as hundreds of light-years. Molecular clouds are cold which … See more At first, most of the protostar’s energy comes from heat released by its initial collapse. After millions of years, immense pressures and … See more At the beginning of the end of a star’s life, its core runs out of hydrogen to convert into helium. The energy produced by fusion creates pressure inside the star that balances gravity’s tendency to pull matter together, so the core … See more WebMar 22, 2024 · 10 Need-to-Know Things About the Sun 1 Biggest The Sun is about 100 times wider than Earth and about 10 times wider than Jupiter, the biggest planet. If the Sun were as tall as a typical front door, Earth … WebMar 31, 2024 · Nebulae exist in the space between the stars—also known as interstellar space. The closest known nebula to Earth is called the Helix Nebula. It is the remnant of a dying star—possibly one like the Sun. It is … rock climbing squamish