What is a star life cycle in order?

A star's life cycle begins with a nebula, where gas and dust collapse under gravity to form a protostar. Once nuclear fusion ignites in the core, it becomes a main-sequence star, where it spends the majority of its life. Depending on its mass, the star may then evolve into a red giant or supergiant, followed by a dramatic end as a supernova or a planetary nebula, leaving behind either a neutron star, black hole, or white dwarf. Each stage is governed by the star's initial mass and composition, determining its ultimate fate.