Michael Gebhardt Freshman Seminar Annotated Bibliography

Journals: Trefil, James. Putting Stars in Their Place. Astronomy, November 2000, Vol. 28, Issue 11, p62 The article discusses the early study of stars and their various types, length of life, and other attributes. The progression covers the concept of stars burning at different temperatures and colors at different points in the solar life cycle. The article also covers the advancement in techniques related to analyzing and recording the changes and status of stars using astronomical instrumentation and methods, and how they have resulted in readily available charts and spectrums for reference. Boozer, Christopher. The Life Cycle of Stars. Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences Department, University of Colorado, Boulder. PDF file journal. The article covers the concepts of free gases forming solar bodies and the categorization of stars based on such factors as mass, luminosity, or the amount of light the stellar body generates, size, density, magnetic strength, radioactivity, and other factors which all either provide an indication of the stage and duration of a stars life cycle or determine its current classification and how long it has been in existence. The article also presents a chart and description of scientific classification of stars based on the aforementioned traits. Rowan, Linda. Stellar birth and death. Science; 05/30/97, Vol. 276 Issue 5317, p1315, 2/3p The journal article provides a thorough overview description of the birth of stars through gravitational collapse of gas clouds, to expansion through stellar life stages until the red giant phase and collapse, until the possible expansion nova or explosive supernova phenomenon occurs. After a supernova, the stellar remnants form a white dwarf, black whole, or neutron star. The article then goes on to cover in depth the scientific discoveries and steps taken to achieve the current level of knowledge regarding stellar life cycles.

Books: Gilbert, H., & Smith, D. (1997). Gravity: The Glue of the Universe. History and Activities. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. The book covers the concept of gravity as it relates to the universe in a fashion which demonstrates that the concepts do not require mathematics to understand. The book also has chapter sections devoted to discussing the formation and life cycles of stars and black holes, and how such stellar bodies interact with the material universe around them. The book also contains external references to other sources, including internet sources, to expand upon the material.

Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, 10/1/2011 The encyclopedia has basic reference material which allows for a straightforward and basic understanding of various phenomena associated with the formation, evolution, and collapse of stellar bodies, including stars. Articles provide concise and brief descriptions of stellar formations such as white dwarf stars, red giant stars, neutron stars, supernovae, and black holes. The encyclopedia also allows referencing with other related material in other entries listed in the index. Viola, Vic; Hearle, Robert. The Heart of Matter: A Nuclear Chemistry Module. Teachers Guide. The book covers detailed nuclear mechanics and physics in regards to a variety of subjects, with a chapter dedicated to nucleosynthesis and stellar evolution. The chapter on nuclear evolutions allows a more in depth analysis of the nuclear mechanics which fuel and direct the course of a stars life cycle, such as the rate of radioactive decay and loss of energy due to fusion. The source and final destination of the matter which forms a star are also discussed.

Organizations: Dr. Barbara Mattson, Dr. Jim Lochner. Life Cycles of Stars, Goddard Space Flight Center. Accessed 10/9/11. http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/teachers/lessons/xray_spectra/background-lifecycles.html This page of the NASA Goddard website discusses the specific processes which fuel a star and the growth of stars, as well as the basic composition of stars. The page also discusses the phenomenon of the supernova, the explosive death of a star which scatters the matter contained within the star across vast distances of space, and the events that lead a red giant star towards such an end. Finally, the article mentions that a supernova is one of the few ways to form the heavier elements in the universe. Wilson, Jim. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Accessed 10/17/11. http://www.nasa.gov/ The website provides helpful links to a variety of material both directly and indirectly related to the subject of research, as well as providing access to outside sources and opportunities to expand knowledge by providing authors and organizations with relevant information. The site provides detailed images and easily understood descriptions of basic concepts of stellar life cycles via search through articles authored by NASA researchers. Additionally, current projects regarding various subject matter are made available for consideration in future research. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Accessed 10/19/11 http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/ The organization has made available various articles on a variety of subjects directly related to the stages of stellar evolution, and provides links to articles covering individual stages and concepts regarding the subject. Each article gives a brief but detailed description of a particular aspect of stellar evolution. Such subjects include Star Formation, Molecular Clouds, Massive Star Formation, Young Stellar Objects, and Accretion Disks. The organization also posts usefully links to recent discoveries and developments in the astrophysics community.

Electronic Sources: Stellar Evolution. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved 10/9/11 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_evolution The article provides a thorough overview of the causes and phases of the birth of a star, including the topics of the protostar, brown-dwarf and sub-stellar formations, as well as the hydrogen fusion process which forms the basis for a stars reaction. The article then goes on to discuss the phases of maturity in a stars life cycle, from low mass, to middle sized and massive stars. The article finished by discussing the stellar formations created after a stars life has run its course, including white and black dwarf stars, neutron stars and black holes. Life Cycle of Stars. (n.d.). In Universe Today. Retrieved 10/20/11 from http://www.universetoday.com/24629/life-cycle-of-stars/ The article discusses the different categories of stars based upon their mass and behavior throughout their life cycles, as well as presenting descriptive material regarding the death cycle of each category of the star, such as the manner in which it collapses or destabilizes and the remaining stellar bodies or phenomena that are generated at the end of the life cycle of a star. The article covers the stages of solar birth and death through molecular clouds, protostars, T Tauri Stars, main sequence stars, and red giant stars. Lifecycle of a Star (Video). (n.d.). In NASA Lifecycle of a Star. Retrieved 10/21/11 from http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Lifecycle_of_a_Star.html The linked video follows the birth, life, and death of a star, and incorporates descriptions and references of the forces acting upon the star which both shape the evolution of the star and result from the changes that occur during the billions of years lifetime a star experiences. The video discusses the transformation into a red giant star and the transition to white dwarf stars and the eventual collapse into a black stellar corpse, such as a black hole.