CosmosObservatory
Explore
Solar System
Live
Learn
Tools
About
Cosmos Observatory
ToolsAbout
Cosmos Observatory

Explore the universe through NASA data, real-time ISS tracking, Mars rover imagery, asteroid monitoring, and comprehensive space encyclopedia. Your gateway to the cosmos.

Explore

  • APOD
  • Mars Rovers
  • Earth Imagery
  • NASA Gallery
  • ISS Tracker

Data

  • Asteroids
  • Solar System
  • Exoplanets
  • Space Weather
  • Launches

Tools

  • Glossary
  • News
  • Calculators

Legal

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Space Tools
  • Contact

Stay updated with the cosmos

Get weekly digests of APOD highlights, upcoming launches, and space events.

© 2026 Cosmos Observatory. All rights reserved. Built with for space enthusiasts.

This website is not affiliated with, maintained, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with NASA or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. All NASA imagery is in the public domain unless otherwise noted. Data sourced from NASA Open APIs, Launch Library 2, and other open data services.

  1. Home
  2. Glossary
  3. Star
Stellar Astronomy

Star

Definition

A massive, luminous sphere of hot gas held together by gravity, generating energy through nuclear fusion. Stars range from red dwarfs to supergiants over 100 solar masses. A star's life cycle depends primarily on its initial mass.

Related Terms

Main Sequence

A band on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram representing stars fusing hydrogen into helium. Stars spend the majority of th...

Red Giant

A luminous giant star that has exhausted its core hydrogen. The outer layers expand and cool, giving a reddish appearanc...

Neutron Star

The collapsed core of a massive star after a supernova, with 1.4-2 solar masses in a sphere about 20 km across. Incredib...

Explore Related Topics

Dive deeper into star and related concepts on Cosmos Observatory.

What's in the Sky Tonight

See stars and planets visible now.

Sun & Space Weather

Monitor solar flares and coronal activity.

Full Glossary

Browse all 66+ space and astronomy terms.

Back to Glossary