How would you like to see a bunch of baby stars? Many astronomers say that one of the “stars” in the belt of the constellation Orion is a nebula filled with protostars, which is the last step before a star is born or becomes a true star! For a star to survive, the pressure from the burning fuel pushing outward must equal the gravity pullingin ward. Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon? The heat of the fire forces the balloon up while gravity tries to pull the balloon back to the ground. Although a star like the sun is not very big during the middle of its life, it is much, much larger when it is forming and while it is dying. Do you think the star's pressure change is what causes this to happen? If you said yes, you're right!

Orion has two giant stars in its constellation, a blue giant called Rigel and a red giant called Betelguese (pronounced beetle juice). Neither will have a long life as far as stars go. Huge stars like Rigel burn hotter and faster than a small star, so this red giant's hydrogenis almost gone and it is starting to burn its core. The original size of a giant star will determine if it will burn to a cinder or explode into a supernova when it reaches the iron core. Scientists believe the explosions are caused when the iron puts out the fire that was keeping up the pressure inside the star's core. Eventually gravity crushes it, then all of the contents, some too small to be seen, come rushing out.

Found Out In Space

Look carefully at this letter grid through your telescope. How many of the deep space objects from the word list can you find? Answers can go side to side, or up and down.