Across
- 1. A quantum mechanical force arising when electrons are packed extremely tightly, preventing further compression; this supports white dwarfs.
- 4. Pressure exerted by photons (light) as they stream out of a star's core, which acts outward to help support the star against gravity.
- 7. The process of creating new atomic nuclei (elements) from lighter ones, which happens inside stars (fusion) and during explosions.
- 10. A glowing shell of gas ejected from a low-to-medium mass star during the final stages of its life as it becomes a white dwarf.
- 12. A massive, cold, and dense region of gas (mostly hydrogen) and dust in space that serves as the birthplace of stars.
- 13. A gigantic explosion that occurs at the end of a massive star's life, scattering heavy elements into the universe.
- 14. A rapid, violent ignition of helium fusion in the core of a low-mass red giant star, releasing massive energy in a short time.
Down
- 2. Chain Fusion: The primary method of hydrogen fusion in low-mass stars (like our Sun), where hydrogen nuclei (protons) combine to form helium, releasing energy.
- 3. An even stronger quantum force that occurs when neutrons are packed together so closely they resist further compression; this supports neutron stars.
- 5. The earliest stage of a star's life, formed when an interstellar cloud collapses under gravity and heats up, but has not yet begun nuclear fusion.
- 6. The outward push generated by the high-speed motion of hot gas particles within a star, caused by heat.
- 8. A type of hydrogen-to-helium fusion that uses Carbon, Nitrogen, and Oxygen as catalysts; it is the dominant energy source in massive, hot stars.
- 9. Equilibrium: The stable state of a star where the inward pull of gravity is perfectly balanced by the outward pressure of hot gas/radiation, preventing collapse or expansion.
- 11. An object with gravity so strong—due to extreme density—that nothing, not even light, can escape from it.