physics

Stellar Evolution & Astrophysics

The life cycles of stars — Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams, main-sequence hydrogen burning, white dwarf cooling tracks, nucleosynthesis pathways, and the Chandrasekhar mass limit for stellar remnants.

stellar evolutionHR diagrammain sequencewhite dwarfnucleosynthesisChandrasekhar limitastrophysics

Stellar evolution traces the life of a star from its birth in a collapsing molecular cloud through hydrogen fusion on the main sequence, to its final fate as a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole. The mass of a star at birth determines its luminosity, temperature, lifetime, and ultimate demise — a relationship beautifully captured by the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

These simulations let you plot stars on the HR diagram, model main-sequence energy output, watch white dwarfs cool over billions of years, trace nucleosynthesis element production, and explore the Chandrasekhar limit that separates white dwarfs from catastrophic collapse — all with real-time interactive controls and physically accurate stellar models.

5 interactive simulations

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Chandrasekhar Mass Limit

Explore the Chandrasekhar limit — simulate how electron degeneracy pressure supports white dwarfs up to 1.44 M☉ and what happens when mass exceeds this critical threshold

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Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram Explorer

Plot stars on the HR diagram — explore how mass determines luminosity, temperature, and evolutionary stage across the main sequence, giant branch, and white dwarf cooling track

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Main-Sequence Hydrogen Burning

Model hydrogen fusion on the main sequence — explore how stellar mass controls core temperature, fusion rate, luminosity, and lifetime through the pp-chain and CNO cycle

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Stellar Nucleosynthesis Pathways

Trace element production in stars — explore how mass and core temperature control fusion stages from hydrogen through silicon, building the periodic table layer by layer

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White Dwarf Cooling Curves

Simulate white dwarf thermal evolution — explore how mass, composition, and crystallization control cooling rates over billions of years