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Massive Stars: Engines of Creation

This illustration demonstrates how a massive star fuses heavier and heavier elements until exploding as a supernova and spreading those elements throughout space.
  • Release Date
    February 28, 2019
  • Science Release
    NASA’s Webb Telescope Will Study an Iconic Supernova
    Read the release
  • Credit
    Video: NASA, ESA, CSA, Leah Hustak (STScI)

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Diagram showing the process of element creation within the cores of massive stars over their lifetimes. Massive stars build up a series of shells within their cores that fuse heavier and heavier elements, until the stars explode as supernovas.

Massive Stars: Engines of Creation Infographic

This illustration demonstrates how a massive star (at least 8 times bigger than our sun) fuses heavier and heavier elements until exploding as a supernova and spreading those elements throughout space.

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Details

Last Updated
Aug 28, 2025
Contact
Media

Laura Betz
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
laura.e.betz@nasa.gov

Video Credit

NASA, ESA, CSA, Leah Hustak (STScI)

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