Final Stages of Luminous Stars

In this chapter, we take a step further and discuss the star developmentstar development beyond the initial state. Figure 5.1 gives us an overview. Stars are born from dust after a cooling of the universe. This is the starting point at the top of the figure. We then proceed clockwise. The potential gravitational collapse of gas or dust clouds led to a structuring of the universe. It is suspected that large structures formed first (still recognizable in the galaxies) and the subsequent fragmentation led to smaller structures. After their formation in the form of protostars, stars begin to shine (burn) quite stably, provided they are within the already discussed mass limits. But the burning cannot last forever, as the fuel supply is limited. “Dying objects” continue to transform. The first, albeit also quite long-lived “intermediate states” for astronomical standards, are discussed in this chapter. Various forms are in the foreground. We discuss compact objects such as white dwarfs and neutron stars, but also quasars and black holes. But ultimately, these states will also continue to change. In part, they will explode or give up their structure through radiation and nuclear decay. In most compact objectsobject, compactfinal stage, the realization is found: “Born from dust, turned to dust.” Thus, the circlestardying is closed.