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The Astrology of Space - Matrix Software

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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Astrology</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Space</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> End <strong>of</strong> Life for Stars<br />

A star may end its life in one <strong>of</strong> several ways. When<br />

all the possible nuclear fuels have been exhausted, all<br />

conversions or adjustments made, the inexorable<br />

force <strong>of</strong> gravity (the grave) asserts itself and the<br />

remaining stellar material becomes a white dwarf. As<br />

the star continues to contract, having no internal<br />

radiation pressure left, the pressures and densities<br />

reach such strength that the very atoms are torn to<br />

pieces and the result is a sea <strong>of</strong> electrons in which<br />

are scattered atomic nuclei. This mass <strong>of</strong> electrons is<br />

squeezed until there is no possible room for<br />

contraction. <strong>The</strong> resulting white dwarf begins the long<br />

process <strong>of</strong> cooling <strong>of</strong>f.<br />

Becoming a white dwarf is only possible for stars with<br />

a mass <strong>of</strong> less than 1.25 solar masses. If the dying<br />

star has a mass that is greater than this limit, the<br />

electron pressure cannot withstand the gravitational<br />

140

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