* Main Sequence: Stars like our Sun spend the majority of their lives in the main sequence, fusing hydrogen into helium in their cores. This process generates energy and outward pressure that balances gravity, keeping the star stable.
* Red Giant: As the star runs out of hydrogen, it starts fusing helium into carbon and oxygen. This causes the star to expand significantly, becoming a red giant.
* Planetary Nebula: Eventually, the outer layers of the red giant are ejected, creating a beautiful glowing cloud called a planetary nebula.
* White Dwarf: The core of the red giant, now primarily composed of carbon and oxygen, collapses into a very dense object called a white dwarf. It's about the size of the Earth but with a mass similar to the Sun. White dwarfs slowly cool and fade over billions of years.
Let me know if you'd like to know more about any of these stages!
