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Nature 434, 148-149 (10 March 2005) | doi:10.1038/434148a; Published online 9 March 2005

Astronomy:  Stellar mass limited

Pavel Kroupa1

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Is there an upper limit to the mass of a star? The answer to this long-standing question seems to be yes — and it has important consequences for our understanding of the evolution of galaxies.

Stars form from interstellar gas and synthesize elements heavier than helium in their cores. Carbon, oxygen, silicon and iron, which are crucial for the existence of planets — and for life — are produced mostly by stars that are more massive than the Sun.

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