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A star is a massive, compact body of plasma in outer space that is held together by its own gravity and is sufficiently massive to sustain nuclear fusion in a very dense, hot core region. This fusion of atomic nuclei generates the energy that is continuously radiated from the outer layers of the star during much of its life span. Astronomers can determine many of the properties of a star by observing its spectrum and luminosity. Individual stars differ in their total mass, chemical composition, and age. The total mass of a star is the principal determinant in its evolution and eventual fate. Other characteristics of a star that are determined by its evolutionary history include the diameter, rotation, movement and temperature. A plot of the star's temperature against luminosity, known as a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, allows the current age and evolutionary state of the star to be determined. Binary and multi-star systems consist of two or more stars that are gravitationally bound, and generally move around each other in stable orbits. When two such stars have a relatively close orbit, their gravitational interaction can have a significant impact on their evolution. (more...)

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From Wikipedia's newest articles:

...that the barrel vault (pictured) was developed chiefly by the ancient Greeks and Romans, but endured to be a mainstay of medieval and even modern architecture?
...that "On Again...Off Again" features influences from both dance music and opera, the only time that such a combination has appeared at the Eurovision Song Contest?
...that Sarskoye Gorodishche near Rostov, Russia has been interpreted as either a Varangian outpost on the Volga trade route or the capital of the Finnic Merya?
...that the primary disposal method for human faeces in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya is the unsanitary flying toilet?

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In the news

Ségolène Royal (pictured) wins the Socialist Party's nomination for President of France in next year's election; she becomes France's first-ever female presidential candidate representing a major party.
Joseph Kabila is declared winner of the election for the presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo. His opponent, Jean-Pierre Bemba, alleges fraud.
The Parliament of South Africa votes to legalize same-sex marriage.
Nadarajah Raviraj, a human rights lawyer and legislator from the Tamil National Alliance, is assassinated in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
A new Constitution of Kyrgyzstan adopted by the Joghorku Keneš is signed into law by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
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On this day...

November 19: Liberation Day in Mali
1493 - Christopher Columbus became the first European to land on Puerto Rico, an island he named San Juan Bautista.
1816 - The Royal University of Warsaw, now known as Warsaw University, was established.
1863 - U.S. President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.
1942 - World War II: Soviet forces under General Georgy Zhukov launched the Operation Uranus envelopment at the Battle of Stalingrad, turning the tide of the battle in the Soviet Union's favor.
1999 - Shenzhou 1, China's first unmanned test flight of the Shenzhou spacecraft (scale model pictured), was launched.
Recent days: November 18 – November 17 – November 16
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Today's featured picture

The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is an atypical member of the cat family that hunts by speed rather than by stealth or pack tactics. It is the fastest of all land animals and can reach speeds of up to 70 mph (110 km/h) in short bursts up to 500 yards (460 m). The cheetah is well-known for its amazing acceleration (0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds), which is greater than that of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the Lamborghini Murciélago and the F/A-18 Hornet.

Photo credit: Mark Probst
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