What potential lifespan duration characterizes the smallest, dimmest red dwarf stars?
Answer
Trillions of years
The smallest and dimmest stars, known as red dwarfs, possess an exceptionally slow rate of nuclear fuel consumption because their lower mass results in less intense core pressure and temperature compared to larger stars. This extremely slow burn rate allows them to maintain hydrogen fusion for timescales that vastly exceed the current estimated age of the universe, potentially shining for trillions of years. This longevity means that even the earliest formed red dwarfs are still actively fusing hydrogen today.
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