12.4: Stellar Mass
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