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Preferred term

red giant  

Definition

  • A red giant is an evolved giant star with a surface temperature of 2,500 to 3,500°C, a spectral type of M or K, and a diameter between 10 and 100 times times that of the Sun. Red giants represent a late stage in the evolution of stars with a range of masses, from just under the mass of the Sun to tens of solar masses (see evolution of stars). The largest red giants, which form from the most massive of stars, are known as red supergiants. A red giant has exhausted its core supply of hydrogen and is now fusing hydrogen to helium in a shell outside the core. The nearest red giant to the Sun is Gacrux (Gamma Crucis). (Encyclopedia of Science, by David Darling, https://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/R/redgiant.html)

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Entry terms

  • red giant star
  • RGB star

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URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-JF1WV8JX-7

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