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Life Cycle of Stars

Star Formation

Stars form in huge clouds of gas and dust called nebulae. These areas of space are sometimes known as 'stellar nurseries' or 'star forming regions'.

A wide column of red/brown cloud and gas rises upwards in the middle, splitting off into three separate vertical branches. The background is dark blue and black, though brighter around the edges of the branches. Throughout the image, there are bright red and white dots of stars scattered throughout. Three particularly large red stars are visible in the upper left quadrant of the image.
This work by NASA/ESA,/Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) is licensed under Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal
A small region of the Eagle Nebula. This structure has been named the 'Pillars of Creation'.

Stellar Evolution

All stars form in nebulae, huge clouds of gas and dust.

Though they shine for thousands of years, stars do not last forever. The changes that occur in a star over time and the final stage of its life depends on a star's size.

A diagram showing the stages in the life cycle of a star. "Creation" is at the top, also labelled "Stellar Nebula" along with a graphic of a pink swirly cloud. Two arrows point left and right with the label "Main Sequence". On the left is "High Mass Star", a blue circle, and arrows lead to the next stages which are "Red Supergiant", "Supernova", "Neutron Star" and "Black Hole". The right arrow leads to a "Low Mass Star", a yellow circle. Arrows then point to the next stages.
This work by The Schools' Observatory is licensed under All rights reserved

Blackholes

Black holes are very strange objects. They are made during supernova explosions. These take place when very massive stars come to the end of their lives.

A fuzzy orange and yellow ring-like shape with a fuzzy black circle in the centre. The shape is against a black background.
This work by EHT Collaboration/ESO is licensed under Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal
The black hole at the centre of Messier 87

Jocelyn Bell-Burnell

Early Life

Jocelyn was born in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. When she was young, the school she went to school would only let the boys study science. Jocelyn’s parents complained to the school and the rules were changed so that the girls could also study science. At the age of 11, Jocelyn failed an important exam. She had to pass the exam to have the chance to go on to study at university. So her parents sent her to a boarding school in York, England where she took the exam again and passed.

Year born: 1943

Research Areas: Radio-Astronomy, Pulsars