Star Formation

Paper Summary:

The process of star formation is a complex one that takes millions of years to complete. While there are many types and sizes of stars, all come from the same basic properties. From clouds of gas and dust to protostars to the Main Sequence, star birth is a process dependent upon many factors. This paper examines how stars are formed and the reasons behind the various colors of stars.

From the Paper:

"Stars use nuclear fusion to convert, generally, hydrogen to helium, a process called nucleosynthesis. Nucleosynthesis is the production of new elements via nuclear reactions. The mass of the star at the time of the nuclear fusion determines what types of nucleosynthesis are needed. For smaller stars, hydrogen is converted to helium. For mid sized stars, like the sun, helium is turned to oxygen and carbon, as the hydrogen supply burns out. For massive stars, as hydrogen becomes depleted, helium is turned to carbon and oxygen, which are then turned to neon, sodium, magnesium, sulfur and silicon. Later, those elements are transformed to elements like calcium, iron, nickel, chromium, copper, and other elements. It is this process of nuclear fusion and nucleosynthesis that allow stars, even massive, old stars, to continue to exist. It is this stage that is called the Main Sequence for a star (Enchanted Learning, 100)."

More papers on Star Formation:

• Essay # 23630 : "Formation of Stars"
• Term Paper # 120722 : "Life Cycle of the Stars"
• Book Review # 23142 : "Stars in Their Courses"

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