Did this collision kill me? or was that an upgrade?

[neurosis]

When I have a small star, almost to a medium, sometimes I smash into another star. After the explosion, I seem to die, but when I respawn, I am a medium or even large star. Is this merely a quirk of respawn, or is it intended that I absorbed the collision mass?

[roidal]

*push*

I have the same question.