Are There Stars Primarily Composed of Helium?

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SUMMARY

Stars primarily composed of helium do exist, particularly within the class known as "Extreme Helium Stars," which exhibit low or absent hydrogen in their surface spectra. These stars are typically remnants of evolved stars, such as white dwarfs, which leave behind a helium-burning shell. Additionally, models suggest that colliding white dwarfs could lead to a scenario where the total helium content surpasses that of other elements. However, such occurrences are rare and would involve stars significantly smaller than solar mass, taking an extensive period to evolve past the hydrogen stage.

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  • Understanding of stellar evolution and lifecycle
  • Familiarity with white dwarf characteristics
  • Knowledge of stellar spectroscopy and element composition
  • Basic principles of nuclear fusion in stars
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  • Research "Extreme Helium Stars" and their characteristics
  • Study the process of white dwarf formation and evolution
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  • Investigate the role of hydrogen and helium in stellar nucleosynthesis
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Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students of stellar evolution who are interested in the composition and lifecycle of stars, particularly those focusing on helium-rich stellar phenomena.

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Are there stars primarily composed of helium?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
There are many stars whose CORES are composed of helium -- and even stars with cores of heavier elements.

- Warren
 
Originally posted by Loren Booda
Are there stars primarily composed of helium?
There is a class designated "Extreme Helium Stars", but this comes from the spectra of the surface only where Hydrogen is low or lacking. Most would be the "remnant" (white dwarf) of an evolved star, leaving behind the outer helium burning shell as a "surface", even though the interior would still be composed mostly of carbon and oxygen.

But, there is one model where colliding white dwarfs could cause the combination of helium total to exceed the other elements. So, I guess the answer is probably yes, in rare occasion.
 
A star that was smaller

than solar mass by a factor of two or three might never get past the Hydrogen to Helium stage but that would take a long time, it would be older than the universe is now before the Hydrogen was all used up.
 

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