The life of a Star begins with a cloud of hydrogen collapsing. Alongside hydrogen, helium as well as traces of heavy elements also collapse and the process of collapsing continues till the core become really dense. Once the required level of density is achieved, Hydrogen is converted into Helium through nuclear fusion process. The star continues to collapse further and this causes the formation of Bok Globules. As the temperature rises, there is further contraction and this continues till the point when gravitational force and gas pressure come to a point of homoeostasis and the resultant formation is termed as a star.

The Top 10 Brightest stars with respect to the Earth are:

1. Sirius

Sirius is the brightest star in the sky. Other names for it are Dog Star, Aschere , Alpha Canis Majoris,  HR 2491 and HD 48915. It is located in the Cannis Major constellation and it is the earth’s sixth closest star. It is about 8.6 light years away from the earth.

2. Canopus

This is the second brightest star in the galaxy. Other names for it are Suhel, Suhail, Alpha Carinae, HR 2326 and HD 45348. It is 74 light years away from the earth and it is located in the Carina constellation.

3. Alpha Centauri

Third brightest star in the night sky, it is also referred to as Rigel Kentaurus. Other names are Rigil Kent, Toliman, Alpha 1 Centauri, HR 5459 and HD 128620. It is 4.3 light years away and can be seen in the Centaurus constellation. This is a triple star formation which includes Alpha Centauri A, Alpha Centauri B, and Alpha Centauri C.

4. Arcturus

Fourth brightest star on the list, it is located in the Bootes Constellation. It is 34 light years from the earth. Other names for this star are Haris-el-sema, Alpha Bootis, HR 5340 and HD 124897.

5. Vega

Located in the Lyra constellation, this is the fifth brightest star in the sky. It is 25 light years away and is three times the size of the Sun.  Other names for this star are Wega, Fidis, Harp Star, Alpha Lyrae, HR 7001 and HD 172167.

6. Capella

This is the sixth brightest star with respect to the earth and is similar in appearance to the Sun.  It is 41 light years away and is located in the constellation Auriqa. It is part of a binary system and rotates around another star. Other names for this star are Alhajoth, Alpha Aurigae, HR 1708 and HD 34029.

7. Rigel

This is the seventh brightest star in the sky and it is part of the 4 Star System. It is 1400 light years away and is located in the Orion constellation. Other names are Algebar, Elgebar, Beta Orionis, HR 1713 and HD 34085.

8. Procyon

11.4 light years away and located in the Canis Minor constellation, this is the eight brightest star in the sky. This is a yellow white star and quite close to the earth. Its other names are Elgomaisa, Algomeysa, Antecanis, Alpha Canis Minoris, HR 2943 and HD 61421.

9. Achernar

A bluish white appearance makes this one of the unique ones in the sky. This star is located in the Eridanus constellation and it is 69 light years from the Earth. Other names for this star are Alpha Eridani, HR 472 and HD 10144.

10. Betelgeuse

This is the tenth brightest star in the galaxy and it is 1400 light years away from the earth.  It is 13000 times brighter than the sun and it is located in the Orion constellation.  Other names for this star are Beteiguex, Al Mankib, Alpha Orionis, HR 2061 and HD 39801.

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Popularity: unranked [?]

Many well-known rock stars have died at a young age. Research undertaken in the UK indicated that there were 100 deaths of famous rock stars between 1956 and 2005. Lives of over 1000 rock stars were examined in the study. 25% of these 100 people died owing to drug abuse and alcohol. Some famous rock stars that died young include:

1. Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was a white southerner who is also credited as being the first real rock and roll star. The hip swiveling sexuality that accompanied his music made him an instant teen idol and a role model for the younger generation. He was considered a bad influence and was also dismissed as being incompetent and vulgar. He died on 16, August, 1977 in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 42.

2. Sid Vicious
An English musician, Sid Vicious was best known for the bassist of the punk group “Sex Pistols”. He died at the age of 21 owing to heroin overdose on February 2, 1979.

3. Jerry Garcia
Jerome John “Jerry” Garcia was an American musician. He became popular for his work with the brand the Grateful dead. Garcia was considered to be the “spokesman” of the group. He died on August 9, 1995 at the age of 53.

4. Johnny Ramone
John William Cummings popularly known as Johnny Ramone was a leading guitarist for the rock punk group “The Ramones”. He was a founding member of the band and was a part of it all through his career. He died in Los Angeles on September 15, 2004 at the age of 55 after battling with prostrate cancer.  

5. Carl Wilson
An American rock and roll star, Carl Dean Wilson was well known as a lead guitarist of “The Beach Boys”. In 1988, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On February 6, 1998 he died at the age of 51.

6. Jim Morrison
An American songwriter, singer, film maker and poet, James Douglas Morrison was best known as the lyricist and lead singer of “The Doors”. He was regarded as the most charismatic front men in rock music. He died on July 3, 1971 at the age of 27.  

7. Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall Hendrix was an American guitarist, singer and lyricist. He was popular as the most influential and important musician across an array of genres during his era. On September 18, 1970 he died at the age of 27. The singer had been conferred with many prestigious music awards during his lifetime, and many other awards have been conferred upon him posthumously.

8. Kurt Cobain
An American musician, Kurt Donald Cobain became popular as the leading guitarist and lead singer of grunge and Nirvana. On 5th April, 1994, he died at the age of 27. Nirvana has sold over twenty-five million albums in the US alone since its debut and over 50 million copies have been sold worldwide, thus making Cobain one of the most successful songwriters and one of the most powerful and iconic individuals in the pop culture history.

9. John Lennon
John Winston Ono Lennon was an English song writer, singer, musician and peace activist who became famous worldwide after becoming the founding members of The Beatles. On December 8, 1980, Lennon died at the tender age of 40.

10. Brian Jones
An English musician, Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones was one of the founding members of the rock group, The Rolling Stones. The singer was well known for his rich attire, usage of multiple instruments an drug excesses. He died at the age of 27 on 3rd July, 1960.

Popularity: 26% [?]

Fashion magazines are filled with celebrity couples who are not only good looking but also filthy rich and obviously, famous. The following are the list of the top 10 most beautiful celebrity couples today.

1. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
Angelina Jolie, 32, and Brad Pitt, 44 are the most gorgeous pair. The pair sports the most stunning looks during public appearances. Ironically, the most attractive physical feature in both of them is their lips.  Not only have they contributed to cinema but one can significantly appreciate the humanitarian work and the good will that they have spread across countries.  

2. Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith
This pair has been considered a solid Hollywood couple since their marriage in 1997. Will is ranked as one of the sexiest men alive and Jada is one of the most beautiful women. Both of them understand that it is natural to be attracted to other people and that a lot of hard work goes into making a successful marriage.

3. Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry
Both of them are exceptionally beautiful. Halle Berry has had a string of bad relationships before she started dating Aubry.  Gabriel Aubry and Halle Berry welcomed their baby daughter in March 2008. The pair maintains a low-key profile in Hollywood in spite of being considered as one of the most gorgeous couples.

4. Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias
The best of Spanish and Russian genetics is combined in the couple, enough to drive anyone jealous. The couple has been seeing each other since 2002 and things have not changed much since then. Anna’s golden hair still turns many heads and Enrique’s macho physique and looks can still make women excited. The question is whether they will get married or not.  

5. Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady
In spite of the scandals surrounding the 2 stars, one cannot deny the beauty of Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, rated as the sexiest woman alive and the perfect American features of American football superstar Tom Brady. It is reported that Gisele has been giving modeling tips to Brady ever since he got entangled in a Stetson campaign.  

6. Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom
Miranda Kerr is one of Victoria’s Angels and a very successful model. At 25, she is famous for her killing looks, especially her dark hair, bluish eyes and dimples. Miranda has been under increased public gaze ever since she started dating Lord of the Rings star Orlando Bloom.

7. Bar Refaeli and Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio and Bar Refaeli in another pair, both of whom complement each other very nicely. They both have beautiful lips, sandy hair and piercing green eyes. The sad fact is that Bar has no belief in the institution of marriage and so one just has to wait and see how long Leo will hold on.  

8. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher
Though everyone talked about how the age difference would come in the way of their relationship, both Demi and Ashton still share a rock solid relationship. Demi is older than Ashton and both of them have beautiful hair, eyes and envious.

9. Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem
Bardem is known to be a weirdly hot person and so we owe it to Penelope Cruz for bringing her new beau out to the beachside for fans to ogle at his stunning physique and features. But what about Penelope? It is no denying the fact that she is classic Spanish beauty and rated among the most beautiful women on the planet.  

10. Jessica Alba and Cash Warren
Jessica Alba has been featured on the covers of numerous magazines worldwide and is also ranked as one of the hottest women alive. Alba is of French, Danish and Mexican descent and can make men drool with her smooth skin and beautiful brown eyes. Cash Warren, her fiancé also is known for his adorable smile and awesome good looks.

Popularity: 12% [?]

1.    Boris Becker (Germany)

Known to many as the youngest player to conquer Wimbledon, Boris Becker was a gifted player. Six Grand Slam wins include three Wimbledon singles titles, one U.S. Open title, and two Australian Open titles.

2.    Billie Jean King (USA)

By the end of her career, Billie Jean King had won 39 Grand Slam victories (12 Singles, 16 Ladies’ Doubles and 11 Mixed Doubles). King’s contribution to Tennis did not end with her incredible achievements on the court. King is well remembered for defeating Bobby King 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the match now popularly referred to as the “Battle of the Sexes”.

3.    Steffi Graf (Germany)

Steffi Graf is an acknowledged legend, and several believe her to be the greatest female player of the 20th Century. Steffi ranked as the No. 1 for 377 weeks, won an unbelievable 22 Grand Slam tournaments, including all four Grand Slams in a single year (1988), 2 Olympic Gold medals. Unrelenting knee problems caused her to retire at just 30.

4.    Bjorn Borg (Sweden)

Bjorn Borg was a genius on both grass and clay. Having won only two of the four Grand Slams, he contributed to the sport in terms of style and dedication. So it came as a major shock to fans and followers when he retired at just 26. Some are of the opinion that he might have won those two too.

5.    Jimmy Connors (USA)

One of the most enduring players, Jimmy Connors held the No. 1 seed for 160 straight weeks, out of the full 268 career weeks. He won 8 Grand Slams – 2 Wimbledon titles, 5 U.S. Open titles and 1 Australian Open title. Unfortunately, the French Open eluded him too.

6.    Andre Agassi (USA)

One of the few champions to prove their mettle on all surfaces, Andre Kirk Agassi won eight Grand Slam singles tournaments and one Olympic Gold singles title. Andre retired at the age of 36 after a successful and cherished tennis career.

7.    Rod Laver (Australia)

Australia has produced some of the finest tennis players and Rod Laver undoubtedly leads all of them. Even before the Open era began, Laver was known for his magnificent court play. Eventually Laver went on to win 11 Grand Slam singles titles, including the French Open.

8.    Rafael Nadal (Spain)

If there is one player who can surpass Federer’s greatness today, it has to be Nadal. The Spaniard is known for his incredible physical stamina and strength and his rivalry with Federer often reminds fans of the Sampras- Agassi days.

9.    Roger Federer (Switzerland)

Whatever one says about the greatness of Roger will always remain an understatement. The Swiss tennis star has already created history in the sport and is widely recognized as the greatest player ever. With 14 titles, a record 237 weeks and as of July 2009, another Wimbledon final, for Federer even sky is not the limit.

10.    Pete Sampras (USA)

With 14 Grand Slam titles, equalled now by Federer, Sampras is perhaps top on this list not because of his records, but because of his game. The fierce rivalry that he shared with Andre Agassi uncovered his full calibre on many occasions over his 15 years in tennis. With a number of records still unbroken, Sampras can be safely called the most enduring player ever yet.

Popularity: 6% [?]