What evolutionary stage follows helium core ignition stabilization off the Red Giant Branch (RGB)?
Answer
Horizontal branch.
Once the dangerous helium flash subsides (or fusion begins smoothly in more massive stars), the energy released by stable core helium fusion restarts the internal pressure, halting the gravitational contraction of the core. This establishment of a new hydrostatic equilibrium transitions the star away from the Red Giant Branch (RGB). This new, stable configuration, where helium is actively fusing into carbon and oxygen in the core while hydrogen shell burning continues above it, is termed the horizontal branch. The star remains in this state shining steadily for millions of years until the core helium supply is exhausted.
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