The Death of a star
The process in which a star dies is determined through the mass of a star ( a large mass star dies differently to a Small mass ), and the size of the remaining core once collapsed. A large mass star goes through the form of a Planetary Nebula, then White dwarf and finally a Black dwarf ( which is not veiwable as it no longer desipates light ). Where as a Large mass star has a Supernova explosion and can either become a Black Hole or a Nutreon star, depending on the remaining size of the core.
Death of a small mass star
White Dwarf / Black Dwarf
Once the helium depletes in the stars core the process repeats, (Nuculear reactions increase, Radiation preasure stops and the re-ignition of gravitational collapse beings) It then balances its gravity preventing further collapse and its outer layers expand forming a cloud around the remainder of the core. This cloud is called a planetary nebula, the star is now a white dwarf and will continue to dim and cool until all heat and energy has disipated. The star, once dissipated all energy (heat and light) it will no longer be visible and will enevitably lay dormid in space, thus known as a Black Dwarf
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Death of a large mass star
Supernova
Once the core becomes purely iron, there is no more stable element to fuse into (that requires a release of energy) so in less than a second the Star enters the final stage and has a gravitational collapse, the core temperature rises to upwards of 100 billion degrease and causes a supernova explosion.