Physics
What happens when a star runs out of fuel?
Quick fact
A star's death depends on its mass. Smaller stars fade away slowly, while massive stars can explode as supernovae.
Why this is interesting
Stars appear permanent, but every star has a life cycle that eventually comes to an end.
Read the full explanation
Understanding What happens when a star runs out of fuel?
Stars spend most of their lives converting hydrogen into helium through nuclear fusion. When the fuel runs out, the balance between gravity and outward pressure changes.
A deeper explanation
Massive stars collapse under their own gravity when fusion can no longer support them, creating some of the most energetic events in the universe and forming objects such as neutron stars and black holes.