Stars are born in vast clouds of gas and dust known as nebulae. The process of star formation occurs when gravity causes these gases to collapse, leading to nuclear fusion and the birth of a new star. Once a star begins to burn its fuel, it enters a long process of evolution, with stars like our Sun eventually expanding into red giants before shedding their outer layers.
The death of a star depends on its mass. Smaller stars like the Sun become white dwarfs, while larger stars may end their lives in supernova explosions, leaving behind black holes or neutron stars. The life cycle of stars is essential to the creation of elements and the evolution of galaxies.