Luma

Lumas are star-like creatures that appear in Super Mario Galaxy. Unlike most Stars, they have a tear drop-like shape, and come in many colors. They are much like Power Stars, but they are more circular and they able to talk.

Lumas boast the ability to transform, from minor planetoids to entire galaxies. They seem to acknowledge Rosalina as their "mama". According to Rosalina, some can transform into Power Stars. Most of them make their home in the Comet Observatory, while others live on Starship Mario.

Only one cream-colored Luma is seen; he is known as Baby Luma, although the Luma that transformed into the comet that Rosalina and the Lumas travel on appears to be cream-coloured in Rosalina's storybook's illustration. He is the Luma that Rosalina gives Mario in the beginning of the game. Luma grants Mario the power to do Spins. Yellow Lumas transform into Sling Stars and Launch Stars and are the most common variety. Red Lumas guard Red Stars. Green Lumas are the guardians of the Trial Galaxies and transform into green Launch Stars. Blue Lumas transform into Pull Stars. Pink Lumas transform into pink Launch Stars to get to hungry Luma galaxies. Lumalee, who is a large, light-blue Luma, hosts the Luma Shop. There is also another type of Luma that are pink, known as Hungry Lumas. The last type of Luma is a purple Hungry Luma that holds the power to move Prankster Comets.

In the end, all the Lumas (including "the" Luma) throw themselves into the massive black hole created by Bowser's dying sun to neutralize it. However, Luma is reborn and living on a small planet while it is hinted that the other Lumas will be reborn later. Indeed, they appear in the sequel.

Mario Kart Wii
In Mario Kart Wii, a Yellow Luma revolves Rosalina at all times. He makes tiny noises whenever Rosalina does a trick in the air. It has no effect on gameplay.

Super Mario Galaxy 2
Lumas also appear in Super Mario Galaxy 2. There is also Lubba, a large purple Luma who acts as the head of the Lumas in this game. There are exceptionally large species of Luma in the Supermassive Galaxy.

Colors
Lumas come in a variety of different colors, and they have different abilities depending on which color they are:
 * Yellow - Transforms into a Launch Star or Sling Star.
 * Blue - Transforms into a Pull Star.
 * Hungry Lumas, which are pink - Transforms into a new planet or galaxy.
 * Pink - Transforms into a Pink Launch Star.
 * Green - Guards the Trial Galaxies. As stated by Polari, they will transform into Green Power Stars.
 * Red - Allows Mario to use the power of the Red Star in the Comet Observatory.
 * Purple - Gives Mario information about Prankster Comets and controls their movements.
 * Orange - The Co-Star Luma which the second player controls in Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Trivia

 * Paper Mario featured a similar species, called Star Kids. Like the Lumas, the Star Kids were young stars, who were raised on a special place to become real stars someday. They also possessed magical abilities, like the Lumas, and a very similar, childish behavior.
 * The name Luma comes from the Latin lumin, which means "light." It is a reference to their similarity to the Power Stars and their future as stars.