The Universe

Students Name: Thievieshan S/O Murugan

Class: 2Teratai

Subject: Science (Teacher Thamaraial)

Date: 11/20/2023
Stars & Galaxies

Stars and galaxies are fundamental components of the universe, and they play crucial roles in the
structure and evolution of the cosmos.

1. Formation: Stars are born from large clouds of gas and dust called nebulae. The gravitational
collapse of these clouds initiates the formation of a proto-star.
2. Nuclear Fusion: As a proto-star continues to contract, temperatures and pressures at its core
increase. When the core reaches a critical temperature (around 15 million degrees Celsius),
nuclear fusion reactions, primarily converting hydrogen into helium, begin. This process releases
an immense amount of energy in the form of light and heat.
3. Life Cycle: The life cycle of a star depends on its mass. Low-mass stars, like our Sun, go through
stages such as the main sequence, red giant, and eventually become a white dwarf. High-mass
stars can undergo more dramatic processes, leading to supernovae, neutron stars, or even black
holes.
4. Colors: The color of a star is related to its temperature. Hotter stars appear blue, while cooler
stars appear red.

Galaxies are vast systems containing stars, star clusters, gas, dust, and dark matter, all bound
together by gravity. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. It is also known as a set of
bodies consisting of millions of stars with gas & dust particles.
The Milky Way is the galaxy in which our solar system resides. It is a barred spiral galaxy,
meaning it has a central bar-shaped structure composed of stars, gas, and dust, surrounded by
spiral arms.
 Elliptical Galaxies: Shaped like ellipsoids, these galaxies often contain older stars.
 Spiral Galaxies: Characterized by spiral arms, these galaxies have a mix of old and young stars.
Our Milky Way is a spiral galaxy.
 Irregular Galaxies: Lacking a distinct shape, these galaxies often contain young stars and are
irregular in structure.