A Star's Destiny is Written in its Mass
Gas & Dust
Gravity pulls hydrogen gas and dust together. As it compresses, it heats up until nuclear fusion ignites.
(Like our Sun)
Fuses Hydrogen to Helium. Stable for billions of years.
Fuel runs out. Expands and cools.
Outer layers drift away gently.
Hot, dense core. Slowly fades away.
(>8x Solar Mass)
Burns fuel furiously. Short life (millions of years).
Fuses heavier elements like Iron.
Core collapses. Violent explosion.
Very dense city-sized core.
Infinite gravity. Light cannot escape.