Evolution of a giant blue star - Artist view - Death of a blue giant...

Evolution of a giant blue star - Artist view - Death of a blue giant star - Artist view - Vue d'artiste de la mort d'une supergeante. After several million years of existence, the blue giant star (on the left) swell to become a red supergeante; its heart contracts and its weight heats, resulting in the evaporation of the outer layers of the star (in the centre). When the nucleus is empty of its energy, it compresses itself causing the explosion of the star (a supernova, on the right). This image shows steps in a celestial cataclysm. After several million years, a blue giant star (at left) is becoming a red supergiant (center). As the nuclear reaction within a giant star's core falters, the core collapses, triggering an intensely energetic rebound and the star explodes (a supernova, at right)