How Long Do Red Giant Stars Last?

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Red giant stars have lifespans that vary significantly based on their original mass and chemical composition. Massive stars typically have shorter red giant phases, lasting only a few million years, while less massive stars, like the Sun, can remain in this phase for about a billion years. The discussion highlights the importance of mass in determining the duration of a star's life cycle. A recommended resource for further information is the website atlasoftheuniverse.com, which provides detailed insights on star types. Understanding these factors is crucial for studying stellar evolution.
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I have been unable to find any data or formula's on how long red giant type stars last
other than a few million years!One would suppose that it is a function of its original mass
and chemical composition.


Any ideas?
Thanks.
Bob
 
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It is certainly mass dependent. Massive stars live hard and die young - often spectacularly. Their red giant phase may only last a few million years. A 98 pound weakling star like our sun can spend a billion or so years as a red giant before quietly retiring as a white dwarf and eventually become a cold, dark cinder, but, the universe is not nearly old enough to believe any such 'black dwarfs' yet exist.
 
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