This
book continues our exploration of stars. Here we discuss the
spectacular ways in which stars die, creating supernovae that are some
of the most violent events in our universe. We also explore the exotic
remnants of these explosions: white dwarfs, neutron stars, and
particularly, black holes. We examine how black holes can grow as
massive as small galaxies, and how they can evaporate through Hawking
radiation.
We talk about what stars are, how they form, the life & death of
stars, and how they make the atoms of life. We answer the question:
What are supernovae and what are the results of their collapse?
We show spectacular pictures of white dwarfs and discuss neutron stars
and pulsars.
Black holes are the ultimate expression of the power of gravity. We
discuss what is a singularity, and an event horizon, and what happens
when something 'enters' a black hole. We explore how black holes
expand, how large they ultimately become, and where & how many
there are in the cosmos.
Example
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Now
consider an intrepid astronaut who elects to take a spacewalk and
explore the inside of a black hole. We will watch from the mother ship,
far from danger.
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