Astronomy › Section P · Stars from adolescence to old age › Topic P.4
Further evolution of stars
A red giant is not the end of the story. Its core ignites helium, builds carbon and oxygen, and swells the star into a giant a second time, while the outer layers drift away to form some of the loveliest objects in the sky.
In this topic
- Where the red giant left off
- Helium fusion: the triple-alpha process
- Worked example: how much energy does helium give?
- The helium flash
- A calmer interlude
- Giant again
- Mass loss and new elements
- Planetary nebulae
- Worked example: how long does a planetary nebula last?
- The Sun's future and Earth's fate
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
This topic is part of Wuanberri Pro. Checking your access…