Stars
⭐ MasteredStars are huge balls of hot glowing gas, like our Sun. They shine by nuclear fusion. They look tiny because they are very far away.
Some stars are much bigger than our Sun.
All about Stars
Stars are huge balls of hot, glowing gas, like our Sun. They shine because nuclear fusion in their cores releases enormous amounts of energy. Stars come in many sizes, colours and temperatures, from small red dwarfs to giants many times bigger than the Sun.
Stars look tiny because they are extremely far away. The nearest star to Earth after the Sun is Proxima Centauri, about 4.2 light-years away. Stars are born in clouds of gas and dust and eventually run out of fuel.
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Real-life uses of Stars
- Navigating at sea using the positions of stars
- Understanding the age and chemistry of the universe
- Inspiring stories and myths across cultures
Frequently asked questions about Stars
Why do stars twinkle?
Their light passes through moving layers of air in Earth's atmosphere, which makes it look like it shimmers.
What colour is the hottest star?
Blue stars are the hottest, while red stars are cooler.
How many stars are there?
Estimates suggest there are hundreds of billions of stars in our galaxy alone.