Life Cycle of Stars
Neutron Stars
A neutron star is the collapsed core of a massive star. It is what is left of the star, after a supernova explosion.
White Dwarf
About 6 % of all known stars in our part of the Milky Way are white dwarfs. When a small star runs out of fuel, it produces a planetary nebula. The outer layers of the nebula drift away from the star leaving a white dwarf.
Supernovae
Planetary Nebula
Life Cycle of a Star
All stars form in nebulae, which are huge clouds of gas and dust. Though they shine for many thousands, and even millions of years, stars do not last forever. The changes that occur in a star over time and the final stage of its life depend on a star's size.