Our Universe
Vocabulary
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Life Cycle of Stars
HR Diagrams
Vocabulary
- Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) Diagram
- luminosity
- temperature
- supergiants
- giants
- main sequence
- white dwarfs
· A star’s temperature determines the color of the star
· Scientists use the H-R diagram to classify stars by plotting luminosity (brightness) vs. temperature
· Temperature increases across the x-axis from right to left
· Stars are grouped on the H-R diagram as follows: supergiants, giants, main sequence, white dwarfs
· The main sequence includes about 90% of all stars, including our Sun
Our Sun
Vocabulary
- Sun
- main sequence
Students must know:
· Our Sun is a medium-sized star
· It is located in the main sequence
· Our Sun is many thousands of times closer to the Earth than any other star
· Our Sun is located at the edge of a disc-shaped galaxy of stars (Milky Way)
· Our Sun is one of billions in our galaxy
· It takes 8.3 minutes for light from the Sun to reach the Earth