What is a red giant?

A red giant is a type of aging star in the later stages of its life cycle. These stars are characterized by their red hue and expanded size compared to their earlier stages as main sequence stars.

Evolutionary stage of red giants

Red giants are formed when a star like our Sun runs out of hydrogen fuel in its core and begins to burn helium. This causes the star to expand and cool, becoming a red giant. As a red giant ages, it continues to burn helium in its core and eventually undergoes further nuclear fusion processes that lead to the formation of heavier elements.

Impact on the universe

Red giants play a crucial role in the universe's ecosystem of stellar evolution. They contribute to the enrichment of the interstellar medium with heavier elements through processes like stellar winds and planetary nebulae. Red giants also eventually shed their outer layers and evolve into white dwarf stars, leaving behind a legacy of elements that can go on to form new stars, planets, and celestial bodies.

Studying red giants provides valuable insights into the processes of stellar evolution and the chemical composition of the universe. Through observations of red giants, astronomers can better understand the life cycles of stars and the origins of the elements that make up the cosmos.