zvezdy

Zvezdy is a term of Slavic origin meaning "stars." In astronomy, it directly refers to celestial bodies composed of plasma held together by their own gravity, such as our Sun. These luminous spheres generate energy through nuclear fusion in their cores. The study of zvezdy, or stellar astronomy, seeks to understand their formation, evolution, composition, and eventual demise.

The appearance and properties of zvezdy vary greatly. They range in size from tiny neutron stars, remnants of collapsed massive zvezdy, to supergiants many times larger than the Sun. Their color is an indicator of their surface temperature, with hotter zvezdy appearing blue or white, and cooler ones red or orange. The Sun, a yellow dwarf, falls in the middle of this spectrum.

Zvezdy are fundamental components of galaxies, and their collective gravitational pull shapes galactic structures. Over cosmic timescales, zvezdy are responsible for synthesizing heavier elements through nucleosynthesis, which are then dispersed into space through stellar winds and supernova explosions, providing the raw materials for future generations of zvezdy and planets. The patterns of zvezdy in the night sky have been observed and cataloged by humans for millennia, forming constellations and inspiring mythology and navigation.