Science Friday #45: The life cycle of our sun

M57—the Ring Nebula There’s a white dwarf (not visible at our distance) in the middle there somewhere. The two easily visible stars in the middle are actually on the other side of the nebula.

At the insistence of my co-host, MJ, there’s no viewing paywall this week (though I would not mind if you became a paid subscriber)! Science Friday is the only feature on Howlin’ that is paywalled (though there is both an extensive free preview of each episode and a one-time free view of a complete episode). That’s because I spent years in college learning all of this. The struggle was real. As always, if you find value in Science Friday but cannot afford a subscription, just DM me and I’ll provide you one on the house. Enjoy!

Associated Press and Idaho Press Club-winning columnist Martin Hackworth of Pocatello is a physicist, writer, and retired Idaho State University faculty member who now spends his time with family, riding bicycles and motorcycles, and arranging and playing music. Follow him on Twitter @MartinHackworth, on Facebook at facebook.com/martin.hackworth, and on Substack at martinhackworthsubstack.com.