What is the approximate main sequence lifespan for our Sun, a yellow dwarf star?
Answer
10 billion years
The main sequence is the longest and most predictable phase of a star's life, characterized by hydrogen fusion in the core. For an average star, specifically noted as a yellow dwarf like our Sun, this stable phase is expected to last for approximately 10 billion years. This lifespan allows the star to efficiently convert hydrogen into helium. In contrast, significantly more massive stars consume their fuel at a much faster rate, lasting only millions of years on the main sequence, while low-mass red dwarfs are modeled to last for hundreds of billions to trillions of years, demonstrating the staggering variation dictated by initial mass.
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