08 Stars, Constellations, and Asterisms

Question 1

A star is

Answer 1

a massive, luminous sphere of plasma held together by gravity.

Question 2

Stars that are more massive than our Sun (i.e. 10 times more larger) will become a….

Once fusion stops, the ——- will have its contents collapse on its self under its own gravity. The outer layers of the star explode outwards – known as…

Answer 2

red supergiant. a supernova.

Question 3

If a star’s initial mass was:
between 10 and 30 solar masses

Answer 3

a neutron star is formed – an extremely dense star composed of tightly packed neutrons.

Question 4

If a star’s initial mass was:
greater than 30 solar masses

Answer 4

a black hole is formed – a quantity of matter so dense and gravity so strong that not even light can escape.

Question 5

Constellation:

How many officially recognized constellations are there?

Answer 5

a group of stars that seem to form a distinctive pattern in the sky.

There are 88 officially recognized constellations

Question 6

Asterisms (+example):

Answer 6

smaller groups of stars that form patterns within a constellation

i.e. the Big Dipper (an asterism) is part of the constellation Ursa Major

Question 7

The constellations you can see depend on…

Answer 7

your latitude as well as the time of night and time of year