Stars can form orbital systems with other astronomical objects, as in the case

of planetary systems and star systems with two or more stars. When two such stars

have a relatively close orbit, their gravitational interaction can have a significant impact
on their evolution. Stars can form part of a much larger gravitationally bound structure,
such as a star cluster or a galaxy.

Contents

 1Observation history
 2Designations
 3Units of measurement
 4Formation and evolution
o 4.1Star formation
o 4.2Main sequence
o 4.3Post–main sequence
 4.3.1Massive stars
 4.3.2Collapse
 4.3.3Binary stars
 5Distribution
 6Characteristics
o 6.1Age
o 6.2Chemical composition
o 6.3Diameter
o 6.4Kinematics
o 6.5Magnetic field
o 6.6Mass
o 6.7Rotation
o 6.8Temperature
 7Radiation
o 7.1Luminosity
o 7.2Magnitude
 8Classification
 9Variable stars
 10Structure
 11Nuclear fusion reaction pathways
 12See also
 13References
 14External links

Observation history
People have interpreted patterns and images in the stars since ancient times. [1] This 1690 depiction
of the constellation of Leo, the lion, is by Johannes Hevelius.[2]

Historically, stars have been important to civilizations throughout the world. They have
been part of religious practices, used for celestial navigation and orientation, to mark the
passage of seasons, and to define calendars.
Early astronomers recognized a difference between "fixed stars", whose position on
the celestial sphere does not change, and "wandering stars" (planets), which move
noticeably relative to the fixed stars over days or weeks. [3] Many ancient astronomers
believed that the stars were permanently affixed to a heavenly sphere and that they
were immutable. By convention, astronomers grouped prominent stars
into asterisms and constellations and used them to track the motions of the planets and
the inferred position of the Sun.[1] The motion of the Sun against the background stars
(and the horizon) was used to create calendars, which could be used to regulate
agricultural practices.[4] The Gregorian calendar, currently used nearly everywhere in the
world, is a solar calendar based on the angle of the Earth's rotational axis relative to its
local star, the Sun.
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