Stage in the life cycle of a high-mass star that results from an explosion of a supergiant?

Answer 1

Cools as its spin slows

Answer 2

It depends on how high the mass actually is. High enough and the star cannot safely shed its outer layers to settle into the white dwarf state; the star goes the supernova route. The remanants of supernova can be (1) nothing except an expanding shell; (2) an expanding shell with a neutron start left behind; or (3) expanding shell with a black hole left behind. Both (1) and (2) have been directly observed (the Crab Nebula is a famous example of (2)). There are no *direct* observations of (3), but there are several candidates for which it seem (3) is the only explanation (Cygnus X1, e.g.).

HTH

Charles

Answer 3

Not real sure what you're asking here, but the explosion of high-mass stars is called a 'supernova.' Here's the basic sequence of events --
All stars start their lives by converting hydrogen into helium (..this process is called nuclear fusion..) Stars spend most of their lives in a struggle between gravity which tries to crush them and temperature which tries to make them expand. When a star runs out of the hydrogen fuel, it begins 'burning' the next heavier element present in its body. When that's all gone, it begins 'burning' the next heavier element. This cycle proceeds until finally there's no element left in the star that can sustain the nuclear fusion. The star's temperature drops as the nuclear fusion process dies away. Gravity wins the struggle, and in less than a second the entire remaining mass of the star collapses onto its central core. The resulting supernova blasts most of the remaining star material into space.

By the way...our sun would have to be at least 1.5 times more massive to end its life in a supernova.

Answer 4

What is a White Dwarf?

(A Jeopardy Style Answer Just Seems Appropriate here :)

Answer 5

What you are describing is called a Supernova. Supernovas have a profound effect on nearby space and they are even believed to trigger the formation of new stars.

Answer 6

oh! you means what comes after the supernova?

That depends on the mass of the star. It will either become a neutron star, or (if it is too heavy) collapse into itself and become a black hole.