Get the latest tech news
If Betelgeuse Explodes, Just How Bright Will It Get?
This supergiant star is in our celestial neighborhood, and it’s threatening to go supernova. What would that look like from down here?
In most stars, the core is composed of hydrogen and helium, the two lightest elements—but only the positively charged nuclei of those atoms, since it's too hot for the electrons to stay put. But as a star ages, it gradually uses up its hydrogen and helium and starts producing heavier elements like carbon, oxygen, silicon, and finally iron. A long time ago, a Greek philosopher named Hipparchus categorized the stars into six groups, based on how bright they appeared in the night sky.
Or read this on Wired