here's a few more of interest

[AstroTiger]

1. They say the Sun is a third generation star.

How do we know?

2. How is it that the nebular produced from ONE exploding star is enough to allow the rebirth of so many new stars within it?

Surely there would not be enough material, would there?

Or is it that larger elements have been smashed to more smaller elements to allow this?

[acey]

Answer to question 1:

"The three generations differ in their content of chemical elements heavier than helium. First-generation stars have the lowest percentage of these elements, and second-generation stars have a higher percentage. The sun and other third-generation stars have the highest percentage of elements heavier than helium" NASA - Sun

(We know that from spectral analysis).

As to question 2, star forming clouds aren't made from the debris of a single star. After a star goes supernova its material is dispersed widely and can be incorporated into other hydrogen-heliuum clouds which will subsequently have star formation in them.