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12.4: Stellar Mass

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The type and life of the new star depends on the initial amount of material present: its stellar birth weight. Astronomers group stars as Low-mass, <1. 33 m ; Intermediate-mass, 1. 33 m to 4 m ; and High-mass :>4 m . (Recall m refers to the mass of the Sun, the Sun = 1 m ) Each of these star groups has different lives and deaths. In this module, we will examine low- and high-mass stars.

Stellar Mass versus Star Life range, Spectral Class

Mass; m

60 m

30 m

10 m

3 m

1. 5 m

1 m

0. 1 m

Time; Year

3 million years

11 million years

32 million years

370 million years

3 billion years

10 billion years

1000’s of billion years

Spectral Type

03

07

B4

A5

F5

G2 (Sun)

M7


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