Fate of “Low-Mass” Stars

• Stars like the Sun are considered “low-mass”

• When they run out of He in core:

  • Left with Carbon “ash”
  • Core contracts
  • Outer layers blown away by stellar winds/radiation pressure
  • Collapsed core is called a “White Dwarf” (hot, low-luminosity – more later)
  • Outer layers called a “Planetary Nebula”
    • NOTHING to do with planets!

Notes: