Here's why:
* Supernovae: Supernovae are incredibly powerful explosions that occur at the end of the lives of massive stars. They mark the collapse of the star's core.
* Core Collapse: When a massive star runs out of fuel, its core collapses under its own gravity. This collapse is incredibly rapid and violent.
* Neutron Star Formation: The intense pressure and heat during core collapse force protons and electrons to combine, forming neutrons. This creates a dense, ultra-compact object called a neutron star.
* Mass Range: Neutron stars typically have masses between 1.4 and 3 solar masses. A core mass of one solar mass is well within this range.
Other possibilities:
While a neutron star is the most likely outcome, there are some other possibilities depending on the specific conditions:
* Black Hole: If the core mass is significantly larger (over 3 solar masses), the gravitational pull will be so strong that it will collapse further, forming a black hole.
* Other Exotic Objects: Some theoretical objects like quark stars are also possible, but they haven't been definitively observed yet.
Key takeaway: A one solar mass core from a supernova is likely to become a neutron star, a remarkably dense and compact object packed with neutrons.
