Illustration showing the evolution of a high-mass star, ending in a supernova explosion. Stage one (left) shows a normal blue star, powered by hydroge

---

Illustration showing the evolution of a high-mass star, ending in a supernova explosion. Stage one (left) shows a normal blue star, powered by hydrogen fusion. As the hydrogen fuel in the core becomes depleted, the helium 'ash' contracts, heats up and ignites. The higher temperatures of helium-burning cause the star to expand & become a red giant (stage 2). In a similar way, successive heavier elements begin to burn in shells around the core. Eventually the core is converted to iron & the fusion ceases. Both the core & atmosphere then collapse (3). When nuclear density is reached, the core rebounds (4), sending out a shock wave which tears the star apart.

---

Size: 8015px × 2195px
Photo credit: © SALLY BENSUSEN (1988)/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, abnormal, autopsy, background, black, blade, body, computed, crime, ct, cut, cut-, cut-outs, cutout, cutouts, dead, deadly, diagnosis, diagnostic, diagnostics, fatal, forensic, forensics, head, healthcare, human, injury, killed, knife, medical, medicine, murdered, outs, patient, people, person, post-mortem, scanner, science, skull, stabbed, tomography, trauma, weapon, wound