Until the last half of the nineteenth century, astronomy was principally concerned with the accurate description of the movements of planets and stars. Developments in electromagnetic theories of light along with the articulation of quantum and relativity theories at the start of the twentieth century, however, allowed astronomers to probe the inner workings of the stars. Of primary concern was an attempt to coherently explain the life cycle of the stars and to reconcile the predictions of advances in physical theory with astronomical observation. Profound questions regarding the birth and death of stars led to the stunning conclusion that, in a very real sense, life itself was a product of stellar evolution.

It is now known that the mass of a star determines the ultimate fate of a star. Stars that are more massive burn their fuel quicker and lead shorter lives. These facts...