Some basic stuff I dug up on stellar evolution
Stellar evolution:
The different phases in the lifetime of a star, from its formation out of gas and dust, to the time after its nuclear fuel is exhausted. Based on observations of stars at various stages of their evolution, astronomers have developed a general theory of stellar evolution, by which the Sun is a typical "main sequance" star, in the middle of its evolutionary lifespan.
http://www-spof.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Sun7enrg.htm#q28B
http://www.treasure-troves.com/astro/topics/StellarEvolution.html