In this episode of Short Science Explained, host Akoya Blake takes you on a journey through the life cycle of stars—from their birth in stellar nurseries to their ultimate, sometimes explosive, deaths. Learn how stars are born in nebulae, where gravity compresses gas until nuclear fusion ignites, creating a brilliant new star. Akoya explains the differences between smaller stars like our Sun, which live for billions of years, and massive stars that burn through their fuel quickly before dying in dramatic supernova explosions. You’ll discover what happens when stars reach the end of their lives: smaller stars become white dwarfs, while larger ones may leave behind neutron stars or even black holes. Most importantly, Akoya shares how the death of stars plays a crucial role in the creation of elements that form future stars, planets, and even life itself. If you're curious about the life and death of stars, this episode will shine a light on their incredible cosmic journey.