... end of the stars life, but at the beginning, proven by the Cepheid variable that we can us as standard candles. However, the balance is broken once and for all, due to the fusion process grinding to a halt as the hydrogen runs out. The force of gravity then takes over and forces the matter left in the star towards one point. As the star contracts the core heats up and helium fusion takes over, and the elements created get heavier and heavier until the core is made of iron. It then is so tightly packed the protons and electrons merge to form a neutron core, which is under extremely high pressure from the outer envelopes and extreme heat. The consequence of this is a supernova, the core blows out the outer envelopes, and the result is a neutron star or a black hole. Black holes do not have to be above ...

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