Stars are boring, aren't they? We all know that they are super hot and super bright, but is that all? Is that all stars are about? No. To get you started, lets list all the types of stars.
The List - Dramatic music in the background
Nebula- when the star begins life it is a cloud of hydrogen and helium.
Brown dwarf- if it gets enough hydrogen atoms close together, you get the dark, brown dwarf star.
Main sequence star- this is a ordinary star, like the sun. 9 out of ten stars you see are these.
Supergiants- when the main sequence star runs out of hydrogen atoms, it swells up to the massive supergiant. While they are bigger, they are also cooler than a normal star.
Neutron star- when the supergiants life is done, it will explode into a supernova (a massive explosion of nuclear energy) and will leave behind a tiny dwarf star. These can be less than 20km across.
Brown dwarf- if it gets enough hydrogen atoms close together, you get the dark, brown dwarf star.
Main sequence star- this is a ordinary star, like the sun. 9 out of ten stars you see are these.
Supergiants- when the main sequence star runs out of hydrogen atoms, it swells up to the massive supergiant. While they are bigger, they are also cooler than a normal star.
Neutron star- when the supergiants life is done, it will explode into a supernova (a massive explosion of nuclear energy) and will leave behind a tiny dwarf star. These can be less than 20km across.
Black Holes
What are black holes? Well, black holes are the remains of some stars after a supernova. They are completely invisible, but powerful. Their gravity is so so strong they can trap even light. AWESOME! But the question is, what would it be like to go inside a black hole? We have a answer!
What would it be like to go inside a black hole?
As we have already said, black holes have REALLY strong gravity. It is so strong that the gravitational field (the area of gravity) bends light, causing everything to look disorientated. If your friend is watching you, at one point he will see you freeze and slowly fade away, as this is the point where all light is trapped. But, in reality, you will still be there, getting sucked closer and closer into the black hole. If the black hole was big enough it might be quite relaxing, as it could be hours until it actually started hurting. Once you got to a certain point your legs would be pulled faster than the rest of your body, causing you to be ripped apart. Scientists have a groovy name for this to: Spaghettification.
The Neutron Star
While these can be less than 20km across, they have strong gravity. It is so strong that lifting your head is harder than climbing Mount Everest! Also, a peace of snot would weigh 1 million tonnes. Thats much more than your house! But strong gravity isn't there only feature. They spin so fast that the whole star can spin a full circle in less than a second. And you thought roundabouts were quick!
There is also another type of neutron star. Meaner. Stronger. The magnetar. It is basically a giant magnet. If this star replaced the moon, it would rip away every bit of magnetic metal on Earth. Not impressed? Well you will be in a minute. Its force would turn every human on Earth to a slimy gloop, by rearranging every bit of matter in our bodies. Whimper!
There is also another type of neutron star. Meaner. Stronger. The magnetar. It is basically a giant magnet. If this star replaced the moon, it would rip away every bit of magnetic metal on Earth. Not impressed? Well you will be in a minute. Its force would turn every human on Earth to a slimy gloop, by rearranging every bit of matter in our bodies. Whimper!