What is the approximate duration of the 'helium main sequence' phase after the Helium Flash?
Answer
About 100 million years
Following the dramatic Helium Flash, which temporarily lifts the degenerate state of the core, the Sun settles into a brief, temporary state of equilibrium, sometimes referred to as the helium main sequence. During this phase, the core continues burning helium into carbon and oxygen, supported by residual hydrogen burning in a surrounding shell. This configuration is relatively short-lived compared to the initial hydrogen-burning phase. This secondary stable period lasts for approximately 100 million years before the helium fuel supply in the core is finally depleted.
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