Answering Astronomy Magazine’s “Ask Astro”
IU graduate student Jessica Ranshaw responded to Astronomy Magazine’s “Ask Astro” question in the August 2025 issue: “Why are there so many different types of stars?”
To answer this question, Jessica started with the process of star formation, noting that the mass of the initial cloud and the composition of the cloud both play a role in what stars are formed. She noted that composition also plays a role in how stars evolve and even how long they live.
Astronomy Magazine is a favorite for armchair and eyeball astronomers everywhere, and we’re thrilled to contribute to the Ask Astro column. To read Jessica’s full answer to the question about so many different types of stars, check out the magazine online at https://www.astronomy.com/science/why-are-there-so-many-different-types-of-stars/.
The College of Arts