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12.4: Stellar Mass

Last updated

Nov 20, 2024
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- 12.3: Stellar Birth
- 12.5: Stellar Evolution

Lumen Learning
Lumen Learning

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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

G2 (Sun)

Stellar Mass versus Star Life range, Spectral Class

Mass; m ⊙

Time; Year

Spectral Type

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Mass; m _⊙