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Chapter 12
cosmic perspective chapter 12
14
Astronomy
Undergraduate 1
12/16/2013

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Cards

Term
how do interstellar clouds collapse
Definition
they cannot resist the gravitational contraction
Term
protostar
Definition
a molecular cloud fragment heats up and spins faster as gravity makes it contract, producing a rapidly rotating protostar at its center
Term
Red Giant Stage (main sequence)
Definition
sun's next phase, after fusion stops, core will shrink, sun will grow in size and luminosity
Term
brown dwarfs
Definition
"failed star" because they never get hot enough for efficient hydrogen fusion
Term
when does a protostar become a main sequence star?
Definition
when it achieves energy balance between hydrogen fusion in its core and radiation from its surface
Term
Molecular clouds
Definition
cold and dense clouds which stars are formed in.
Term
Hydrogen shell fusion
Definition
hydrogen fusion in a shell around the core. (cause of greater luminosity)
Term
Helium flash
Definition
drastic rate in He fusion that stops core shrinkage and the sun will become smaller and less luminous that it was as a red giant
Term
Sun's sequence
Definition
main sequence--> red giant--> helium core-fusion star--> double shell-fusion star--> planetary nebula--> white dwarf
Term
Planetary nebula
Definition
the outer layers of the star that are ejected into space
Term
white dwarf
Definition
what is left behind when a star dies (carbon core)
Term
CNO Cycle VS. Proton-proton chain
Definition
cno cycle allows hydrogen fusion to proceed at a much faster rate than would be possible by the rot on proton chain
Term
Which stars create the elements on earth
Definition
High mass stars
Term
What is the most important parameter
Definition
MASS
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