What core mass generally defines a star as "massive" by astronomers?

Answer

Significantly greater than about 8 times the mass of the Sun (M sun)

Astronomers classify a star as massive when its core mass significantly surpasses a specific threshold, generally considered to be eight times the mass of the Sun ($ ext{M}_{ ext{sun}}$). Stars exceeding this initial mass undergo a far more violent evolutionary path than average stars like our Sun. This immense mass leads to proportionally higher gravitational pressure in the core, forcing the star to consume its nuclear fuel at an accelerated, prodigious rate. This rapid consumption results in an extremely luminous but comparatively short lifespan when viewed against the billions of years typical for lower-mass stars. The initial mass is the defining characteristic that dictates the star's fate, setting it on the path toward becoming a supernova remnant rather than a cooling white dwarf.

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astronomy stellar evolution supernova black hole massive star