1. The Sun and Other Stars What is a star? A star is:
a huge ball of burning and exploding gases which gives off heat and light
it burns for millions of years

2. The Sun and Other Stars The Sun Star at the center of the solar system
                                              
The Sun and Other Stars
The Sun
Star at the center of the solar system
Huge ball of very hot gases, mostly hydrogen and helium
Source of almost all of the energy on Earth (plants, wind, weather)

3. How are Stars Classified?
                                              
The Sun and Other Stars
How are Stars Classified?
Star Magnitude
Brightness of a star
Apparent magnitude – how bright it seems to be from Earth, due to their distance from the sun
Absolute magnitude – how bright a star really is

4. How are Stars Classified?
The Sun and Other Stars
How are Stars Classified?
Types of Stars
Color of a star is a clue to its surface temperature
Blue stars = hottest temperature
Red stars = coolest temperature
Main sequence
A band of stars that includes most stars of average color, size, magnitude, and temperature

5. The Sun and Other Stars Nova Supernova
Stars that increase in brightness in the later stages of their existence
Supernova
A star that explodes
Last Supernova in our galaxy was in 1604

6. The Sun and Other Stars
Observing Stars
Scientists learn about stars by studying the energy waves they send into space
Use different kinds of telescopes