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| + | A '''supergiant''' [[star]] is one which is nearing the end of its lifespan. It has consumed much of its [[hydrogen]] fuel and is beginning to consume other [[element]]s such as [[carbon]] or [[helium]]. During the supergiant stage, a star's surface expands many times larger then its original circumference, often between 50-1000 times its original size. |
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| − | :''You may also be looking for a [[red giant]].'' |
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| − | [[Image:Red supergiant, The naked now.jpg|thumb|a red supergiant]] |
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| − | A '''red supergiant''' is a type of [[star]]. |
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| + | The increased area spreads out the available hydrogen left to the star, thus lowering the core temperature of the supergiant. This in turn reduces the color frequencies of the star, often causing supergiant stars to appear as blue, yellow or red in color. However, during this stage, a star is most [[light|luminous]]. |
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| − | The [[SS Tsiolkovsky|SS ''Tsiolkovsky'']] spent six [[month]]s, from late [[2363]] to [[2364]], monitoring the collapse of a red supergiant into a [[white dwarf]]. ({{TNG|The Naked Now}}) |
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| + | Because of their massive sizes and their lowered hydrogen-to-[[mass]] ratio, supergiant stars have a shorter lifespan then other, younger stars. |
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| + | Supergiant stars are presumed to be a prelude stage to [[supernova]]e. |
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==External Links== |
==External Links== |
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| − | * |
+ | *{{wikipedia|Supergiant}} |
| + | *[http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/astro/redsup.html Red Supergiant Stars] |
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| + | *[http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/starlog/blusup.html Blue Supergiant Stars] |
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| + | {{pna-cite}} |
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| + | [[de:Überriese]] |
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| − | [[Category:Astronomical objects]] |
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Revision as of 19:13, 18 May 2007
A supergiant star is one which is nearing the end of its lifespan. It has consumed much of its hydrogen fuel and is beginning to consume other elements such as carbon or helium. During the supergiant stage, a star's surface expands many times larger then its original circumference, often between 50-1000 times its original size.
The increased area spreads out the available hydrogen left to the star, thus lowering the core temperature of the supergiant. This in turn reduces the color frequencies of the star, often causing supergiant stars to appear as blue, yellow or red in color. However, during this stage, a star is most luminous.
Because of their massive sizes and their lowered hydrogen-to-mass ratio, supergiant stars have a shorter lifespan then other, younger stars.
Supergiant stars are presumed to be a prelude stage to supernovae.