Our Sun is an average star compared to other stars in our galaxy. Our Sun has an average temperature, luminosity (brightness), and mass. Why is our Sun the brightest object in our sky if it has an average luminosity?
Our Sun is a very average star. It is average in luminosity (brightness), size, and temperature.
Our Sun is the closest star to us, and the only star in our solar system
Our Sun is the brightest object in our sky, but compared to other stars, the Sun's luminosity is average.
Our Sun is the brightest object in our sky because it is so close to us compared to other stars.
Our Sun formed about 4.5 billion years ago, and is about halfway through its' life cycle. Stars are not alive, but they do have a beginning, when they start burning hydrogen fuel. Stars also have an end, when they run out of hydrogen fuel.
A star begins forming in a nebula. A nebula is a huge cloud of dust and gas located within a galaxy.
When enough dust and gas are pulled together by gravity, the gas and dust swirl together for millions of years. If the swirling gases are hot enough, they will ignite, and hydrogen fusion will begin occurring, and a star is formed.
When stars run out of hydrogen fuel, they go through various stages as they near the end of their life cycle.
Looking at the image below, you can see our Sun is an average star, so it will become a Red Giant when it runs out of fuel. Massive stars do not have the same fate as average sized stars.
What is similar about the life cycle of all stars?
What determines the path a star takes during its life cycle?
All stars form in a nebula, but they do not take the same path through their life cycle. The mass of the star determines the path the star takes.
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Our Sun is an average star compared to other stars in our galaxy. Our Sun has an average temperature, luminosity (brightness), and mass. Why is our Sun the brightest object in our sky if it has an average luminosity?
The Sun is much closer to Earth than other stars.
The Sun appears yellow, which is more visible than other colors.
As light from other stars travels through space, it gets reflected.
Other stars are made up of different gases than our Sun is.