When a star "goes off the main-sequence" it generally means the star has run out of hydrogen fuel and is beginning the post-main-sequence or its end of life phase. The main sequence of a star is the time where it is no longer just a proto-star but is burning hydrogen as a primary source of fuel.
A fusion reactor stops in the main sequence stage when it runs out of hydrogen fuel at its core. As hydrogen is depleted, the fusion rate decreases, resulting in a decrease in energy production. At this point, the star will begin to expand and evolve into a different stage of its lifecycle.
No, a white dwarf is not considered a main sequence star. A main sequence star is a star that is still fusing hydrogen in its core. A white dwarf is the remnant of a low to medium mass star in which fusion has stopped.
Hydrogen, via the proton-proton chain reaction.
A "main-sequence star" is one that fuses hydrogen into helium. Eventually, the star will run out of this specific type of fuel - in other words, it won't have enough hydrogen (at least, near its core) to continue this process.
red giant
When a star "goes off the main-sequence" it generally means the star has run out of hydrogen fuel and is beginning the post-main-sequence or its end of life phase. The main sequence of a star is the time where it is no longer just a proto-star but is burning hydrogen as a primary source of fuel.
Main sequence stars do not really exist - well they do, but read on. Main sequence is a stage in a stars life - where it converts hydrogen into energy, not a particular star or type of star. All stars go through a main sequence, from the smallest to the largest.However, in general, the larger the star, the faster it will burn off it's fuel.
Main sequence star: hydrogen-1. Red giants: helium-4.
Main sequence star: hydrogen-1. Red giants: helium-4.
Main sequence star: hydrogen-1. Red giants: helium-4.
main sequence stars all are burning though fuel at asteadyrate in there cores. with the proton+proton chain our sun is a main sequence star
The next step in its life is to become a "red giant" star.
A fusion reactor stops in the main sequence stage when it runs out of hydrogen fuel at its core. As hydrogen is depleted, the fusion rate decreases, resulting in a decrease in energy production. At this point, the star will begin to expand and evolve into a different stage of its lifecycle.
red giant
No, a white dwarf is not considered a main sequence star. A main sequence star is a star that is still fusing hydrogen in its core. A white dwarf is the remnant of a low to medium mass star in which fusion has stopped.
Basically, the stars on the "Main Sequence" are the ones that fuse hydrogen-1 into helium-4. Once a star burns up its hydrogen-1 fuel, or doesn't have much left, it will start burning helium-4 into heavier elements. It is then that the star leaves the "Main Sequence".