Jennie Ren
From astrology signs to a sailor’s guide home, stars have both scientific and media impact. Although stars may seem like twinkling dots in the night sky, they play groundbreaking roles in scientific advancements and discoveries.
What is a star?
The only star in our solar system, the sun, is composed of mostly hydrogen, helium, and other elements. The star’s plasma is kept together by its own gravity, taking on a spherical shape.
Life of a Star
In space, there are clouds of gas and dust: molecular clouds. Within the molecular clouds, the gas clumps, which lead to a stronger gravitational pull. The force from the clumps colliding can cause the clump to collapse. The friction from the collapse creates friction. The protostar uses energy from its collapse to shine and become a star. Scientists use the nuclear fusion equation, dY/dt = −⟨σv⟩n1n2, to calculate the rate of change in stars. Nuclear fusion creates energy by squeezing the hydrogen in the core with other elements. Stars spend most of their lifetime during this phase. This action is called thermonuclear fusion, which generates heat and energy, causing them to shine. The stars are classified by their surface temperatures.
Death of a Star
Eventually, every star will run out of hydrogen fuel, which keeps them shining in space. Smaller stars transform into nebulae. On the other hand, bigger stars “explode” in space, leaving behind a neutron star. The largest stars turn into black holes. The explosion, supernovas, from the largest stars are then transformed into molecular clouds. The dust left behind by dead stars can lead to formations of new planets and stars.
Classifications of Stars
There are seven main classifications of star classes (in descending temperature order): O, B, A, F, G, K, M, and L. O stars have the highest temperature with a range between “28,000 – 50,000 Kelvin” (Australia Telescope National Facility 1). The temperatures descend all the way down to less than 2,000 Kelvin. Alongside temperature, the stars are also categorized by their color. Similar to flames, the degree is categorized by color. O stars have a Blue appearance, just like the highest temperature of flames. Stars in spectral class B and A have a white color. F and G stars have a yellow color. K stars have an orange tint. Because two spectra could have the same lines present, astronomers invented the Luminosity Classes. The stars are then put into classification based on their brightness.
Scientific Advancements
Today, scientists at NASA use the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to collect celestial images. The telescope orbits around the Earth and uses a mirror-like technology to capture images. The telescope has a mirror in which it seperates radiation into its spectrum. The HST is unique because it has the ability to separate two close objects in images. The telescope has helped scientists discover Pluto’s moons.
Stars in Media and Art
Stars are also seen in many popular artworks and references for centuries and modern day. For example, the artist Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” painting features stars in a night sky. In literature, many authors use stars as a symbol of hope. Book characters often use stars as guidance towards home.
Greek Mythology has many star references. For example, many constellations are named after Greek gods and heroes. The Milky Way in Greek Mythology is said to be created by Hera, a Greek goddess.
To some, stars are spherical gas giants while others may perceive them as a zodiac sign. Nonetheless, stars, like the sun, are a major contribution to life.
References
- “Stars.” https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stars/.
- “Stellar classification | Types, Spectral Classes & Luminosity.” , 23 August 2024, https://www.britannica.com/science/stellar-classification.
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