Big Idea 3.3

Advanced: An older learner (9-12+), or a learner that has a lot of experience with the subject matter.

Quick Facts

Do other stars behave similarly to the Sun?

  • Educator Background

    Other stars behave similarly to our Sun in their formation, lifespan, and nuclear processes. Stars vary in mass, composition, color, brightness, and age. These variables determine the lifespan of the star. Larger mass stars have short, violent lifespans, while our medium-sized Sun is living a long, stable life. We are halfway through the Sun's lifespan, which has given Earth enough time to evolve life. Like other stars, the Sun will eventually deplete its fuel and its life will end.

  • Learning Constraints

    At this level, students learn about nuclear processes in the Sun, the influence of the Sun on Earth (HS-ESS1-1) (HS-ESS1-8), and how we study other stars (HS-ESS1-2,3).

  • Connect to Heliophysics

    Connect to the Sun seamlessly through this question. Emphasize that life on Earth exists because of the Sun, and that we don't know of any other stars in the galaxy that host planets with life. The Sun is the right size, the right age, and Earth is the perfect distance from the Sun. More massive stars have shorter life spans and also produce intense amounts of UV light, which is damaging to living organisms.

  • Extend Exploration

    Extend student exploration by investigating other factors that contribute to Earth's success. Jupiter's gravity may help deflect asteroids on a collision course with Earth, and scientists believe that the Moon (a result of a collision of an object with Earth) helps stabilize Earth's rotation, keeping our climate stable. It is the combination of all of these factors that makes Earth unique in the known universe.

  • Differentiate for Beginner Learners

    Support beginner students by reviewing the structure of the Sun and the nuclear processes at its core.

  • Differentiate for More Advanced Learners

    Challenge students at the next level to investigate how NASA studies distant stars, using the knowledge we have gained from studying our own Sun.

Featured Advanced Resources

Explore this guiding question with these featured advanced level resources.

A internet interactive with a menu of different types of stars.

Lesson Plan

Life Cycle of Stars

Betelgeuse infographic

Digital Resource

Types of Stars

A piece paper, a pencil and a set of activity cards.

Hands-on Activity

Stellar Evolution Scavenger Hunt

A set of bookmarks, a colorful bracelet and a phone.

Art-infused Activity

Stellar Life Cycle Bookmark and Bracelet