Many other stars are visible to the naked eye at night; their immense distances from Earth make them appear as fixed points of light. The most prominent stars have been categorised into constellations and asterisms, and many of the brightest stars have proper names.

This article describes the properties and evolution of individual stars. Included in the discussion are the sizes, energetics, temperatures, masses, and chemical compositions of stars.

To understand stars is to understand the universe itself. This article takes you deep into the heart of stellar science — from the birth of a star in vast clouds of gas and dust, to its dramatic demise as a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.

Stars are massive, luminous spheres of gas, mainly composed of hydrogen, with smaller amounts of helium and other elements. The lifespan of a star varies widely, generally ranging from several million to several trillion years.

How are stars named? And what happens when they die? These star facts explain the science of the night sky.

Stars produce their own light and energy by a process called nuclear fusion. Fusion happens when lighter elements are forced to become heavier elements. When this happens, a tremendous amount of energy is created causing the star to heat up and shine. Stars come in a variety of sizes and colors. Our Sun is an average sized yellowish star.