A star (or sun) is an energy-radiating sphere of plasma and gas, which is held into shape by a large gravity field. A star's gravity field can also cause other objects to orbit the star, including planets, moons, and asteroids, which then form a star system.

Overview[]

Stars are formed when large accumulations of gas and dust are attracted together by gravity. Eventually the combined gravity of the materials pulls them close enough together to ignite a self-sustaining nuclear fusion reaction.

Starships can be protected from the intense radiation and energy from a star through the use of metaphasic shields. (TNG episodes: "Suspicions", "Descent, Part II")

Destruction[]

The synthetic compound known as trilithium served as a nuclear reaction inhibitor allowing for the potential of such weapons to destroy a star. (TNG movie: Star Trek Generations)

The theorist known as Edvard Bela postulated that what he termed Bela-Neutron devices could be capable of absorbing certain elements from a star, ultimately causing the star to collapse under gravity. (VOY novel: The Final Fury)

Technological uses[]

Energy production[]

Certain races had developed the capacity to make use of the power generated by a star that was used as a form of energy production. One such way through this was accomplished was by the creation of a Dyson sphere. (TNG episode: "Relics")

The ancient Furies created a massive structure that encompassed their Delta Quadrant home star like a cage which contained numerous neutrino collectors that siphoned off the power which was directed in their attempts at creating an artificial wormhole. (VOY novel: The Final Fury)

Appendices[]

Connections[]

• stellar classification
• stellar nomenclature
• For a list of Stars see Stars or stars and star systems.

External links[]

• Star article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
• Star article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.