REVIEW: Lesson Summary

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Solar eclipse on Jan. 29, 2009. Taken in Jakarta. Photo courtesy of
  • The Sun goes through the following phases:
Hydrogen burning phase 11 billion years
First red giant phase 1.3 billion years
Helium burning phase
100 million years
Second red giant phase 20 million years
Unstable pulsation phase 400,000 years
White Dwarf phase forever...


  • The Sun is an average-sized star.
  • The Sun is in the middle of its lifespan.
  • A star's mass determines the path and length of its life cycle.
  • The more massive a star, the heavier the elements produced
  • Forces are constantly acting on a solar system.
  • Gravity is one of the most important and influence force acting on our solar system
  • Changes to the way the solar system is set up now could be harmful to life on Earth (e.g. if there was no moon).
Last modified: Tuesday, 27 April 2010, 4:42 PM