Ok, agreed. The Sun would be merely senescent, but not yet entirely dead!I would not say "fate". But this will be a step in the evolution of the Sun into a white dwarf.So, something similar will likely be the fate of our own Sun, correct? From the link -Planetary Nebulae
Planetary nebulae (PN) represent the last stages of evolution for low- and intermediate-mass stars whose Main Sequence mass was less than about 8 solar masses. After evolving through the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, a phase characterised by shell burning resulting in radial pulsations that drive prodigious mass-loss, these stars possess thick, dusty, molecular circumstellar envelopes. In the rapid (few x 1000 yr) post-AGB or proto-planetary nebula (PPN) phase, the mass loss drops dramatically and the circumstellar envelope detaches from the star. The ejection of the envelope exposes the evolving progenitor star which is increasing in temperature and on its way to becoming a white dwarf. Once the central star temperature reaches ~30,000 K, it emits most of its radiation in the ultraviolet region. This radiation ionises the remnant circumstellar envelope, producing the optically-visible planetary nebula. The planetary nebula is still expanding however, and eventually its material will disperse into space, leaving the exposed white dwarf.
Statistics: Posted by johnnydeep — Sun Apr 28, 2024 4:14 pm — Replies 9 — Views 150