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skywolf
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when a star collapses into a neutron star, its protons merge with its electrons right?, if so, isn't there one more "ingredient", where does that come from?
Stars are mainly composed of hydrogen and helium gas, with small amounts of other elements such as carbon, oxygen, and iron. The exact composition may vary depending on the age and size of the star.
Stars produce light and heat through the process of nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms fuse together to form helium. This releases an enormous amount of energy, which is what makes stars shine.
The lifespan of a star depends on its mass. Larger stars have a shorter lifespan, while smaller stars can live for billions of years. On average, a star like our sun will live for about 10 billion years.
Yes, stars can die. When a star runs out of hydrogen fuel, it will begin to fuse heavier elements such as helium and carbon. Eventually, the star will run out of fuel completely and either collapse into a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.
Scientists study and observe stars using telescopes, both ground-based and space-based. They can also analyze the light and radiation emitted by stars to gather information about their temperature, composition, and size.