The Milky Way makes about 5 new stars every year, but only about one star per year in the Milky Way dies and becomes a planetary nebula. Massive stars die and produce supernovae about once every 100 years.
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MOIYA MCTIER,
Astrophysicist, Folklorist, & Science Communicator
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Thanks for asking, @myles! A planetary nebula is a big cloud of gas produced by stars after they finish fusing elements in their cores. I'll talk about them more in future fun facts
What's a planetary nebula?
Thanks! This is fascinating.
@Lyndele, there sure is!
Here's the paper it's from: https://arxiv.org/abs/1506.00652
The figure compares different simulations and observations of star formation rates throughout the Milky Way's history
I feel as though I should have known this, but I am amazed to learn that only 5 new stars are 'born' each year in the Milky Way. I was imagining a much more fertile environment for star formation. Thanks for the perspective!
Is there a chart to show the expected star formation rate and decline over time?