Stars are balls of plasma held together by gravity. Nuclear fusion in their cores releases electromagnetic radiation, making stars visible. Characteristics include distance, measured in light-years; magnitude (brightness); temperature determining color; and size measured against our Sun. Stars are classified by temperature. Most spend their main sequence lifetime on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Eventually stars die, with outcomes like planetary nebulae, white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes depending on their mass. Constellations are recognizable star patterns with traditional names.