Types of Stars

Stars are classified into different types based on their temperature, color, size, and other characteristics. The classification system used to categorize stars is called the stellar classification or spectral classification. Here are some of the main types of stars:

1. O-Type Stars: O-type stars are the hottest and brightest stars, with temperatures over 30,000 Kelvin. They appear bluish-white in color and are relatively rare. O-type stars are massive and short-lived, often undergoing supernova explosions at the end of their lives.

2. B-Type Stars: B-type stars are also hot and bright, with temperatures ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 Kelvin. They have a blue-white color and are more common than O-type stars. B-type stars are massive and relatively short-lived.

3. A-Type Stars: A-type stars have temperatures ranging from 7,500 to 10,000 Kelvin. They appear white or bluish-white in color and are notable for their strong hydrogen absorption lines in their spectra. A-type stars are smaller and less massive than O and B-type stars.

4. F-Type Stars: F-type stars have temperatures ranging from 6,000 to 7,500 Kelvin. They appear yellow-white in color and are larger and more massive than A-type stars. F-type stars are known for their characteristic hydrogen absorption lines.

5. G-Type Stars: G-type stars, like our Sun, have temperatures ranging from 5,000 to 6,000 Kelvin. They appear yellow in color and are often referred to as "yellow dwarfs." G-type stars are intermediate in size and mass, and they are known for their stability and long lifetimes.

6. K-Type Stars: K-type stars have temperatures ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 Kelvin. They appear orange in color and are smaller and cooler than G-type stars. K-type stars can be either main sequence stars or giants, depending on their evolutionary stage.

7. M-Type Stars: M-type stars are the coolest and most common type of stars. They have temperatures below 3,500 Kelvin and appear red in color. M-type stars can range from relatively small and cool red dwarfs to larger and brighter red giants or supergiants.

In addition to these main types, there are also subcategories and subclasses within each type based on more detailed spectral features and characteristics. The classification system provides a way to understand the diversity of stars and their properties in the universe.