PHYS 183 Chapter Notes - Chapter 17: Planetary Nebula, Large Magellanic Cloud, Sn 1987A
Document Summary
Mass of main sequence star determines luminosity & lifetime. High mass star: stars born with masses greater than about 8 solar masses intermediate mass stars are more similar to high mass stars. 17. 2 life as a low mass star the sun is a low mass star currently a main sequence star, in the middle of its 10 billion year life sun shines steadily due to self regulating processes (solar thermostat) Energy in low mass stars moves through a combination of radiative diffusion & convention from core to surface. Most active stars are very low mass flare stars: stars that have field lines that suddenly snap & reconfigure themselves which releases energy from the magnetic field in the form of flares. As number of particles in star drops, core shrinks & heats up to keep pressure in balance with gravity raises fusion rate & luminosity core shrinks due to gravity when nuclear fusion ceases but outer layers expand.
