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What is a protostar called in the stage after it has finished accreting mass?

A) white dwarf
B) red giant (or supergiant)
C) pre-main-sequence star
D) main-sequence star

User Mirella
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

A protostar becomes a pre-main-sequence star, or T Tauri star, once it has finished accreting mass, before eventually reaching the main-sequence. The stellar evolution of a star like the Sun from main-sequence to red giant and then to white dwarf differs if it is part of a binary system, potentially leading to a supernova.

Step-by-step explanation:

After a protostar has finished accreting mass, it is called a pre-main-sequence star, specifically a T Tauri star for those with masses similar to or less than that of the Sun. T Tauri stars are characterized by being observable mostly in the infrared spectrum due to their dusty envelopes and are in a stage where they are contracting towards the main-sequence. Eventually, the protostar will become a stable main-sequence star like our Sun.

The evolution of a star with mass like that of the Sun from the main-sequence phase includes expansion into a red giant, then shedding its outer layers, and finally ending as a white dwarf. Massive stars follow a slightly different evolutionary path, which can include becoming a type Ia supernova if it is part of a binary system and reaches the Chandrasekhar limit.

User Unify
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