There are several potential outcomes for a high mass star at the end of its life cycle. The specific outcome depends on its mass:
1. Supernova: The most massive stars, with masses greater than about eight times that of the Sun, culminate in a supernova explosion. The core of the star collapses under gravity, triggering a violent explosion that releases an enormous amount of energy and material. This explosion creates a supernova remnant, such as a neutron star or a black hole.
2. Neutron star: If the core of a high mass star, when it collapses, forms a dense ball of neutrons, it leads to the creation of a neutron star. Neutron stars are incredibly dense and compact, composed mainly of neutrons, and have a strong gravitational pull.
3. Black hole: In the case of extremely high mass stars, their core collapse leads to the creation of a black hole. Black holes are regions in space where gravity is so intense that nothing, not even light, can escape. They have an event horizon beyond which the gravitational pull is too strong for anything to escape, effectively making them invisible.
Additionally, throughout their evolution, high mass stars can also release heavy elements into space through various nuclear processes. These elements become part of the interstellar medium and play a crucial role in the formation of future stars and planets.
What are the possible end results of a high mass star?
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