A massive star is a type of star that has a mass greater than about eight times that of our Sun, known as Sol. These stars burn their nuclear fuel much faster than smaller stars, leading to shorter lifespans, typically only a few million years. They are often much brighter and hotter, emitting large amounts of energy and radiation. As massive stars evolve, they undergo various stages, eventually leading to dramatic events like supernovae. After exhausting their nuclear fuel, they may leave behind a dense core, which can become a neutron star or even collapse into a black hole.