omflyttningsfasen

Omflyttningsfasen, also known as the relocation phase, is a critical period in the life cycle of a star, occurring after the main sequence phase and before the final stages of stellar evolution. This phase is characterized by the star's expansion into a red giant or supergiant, leading to significant changes in its structure and energy production.

During the omflyttningsfasen, the star's core begins to fuse heavier elements, such as helium and carbon, rather than hydrogen. This process causes the star to expand dramatically, increasing its radius by several orders of magnitude. Consequently, the star's outer layers become cooler and redder, giving it the characteristic red giant or supergiant appearance.

The expansion of the star's outer layers also leads to the formation of a circumstellar envelope, a region of gas and dust that surrounds the star. This envelope can be several times larger than the star itself and plays a crucial role in the star's evolution, influencing its mass loss and the formation of planetary nebulae.

The omflyttningsfasen is a relatively short phase in the life of a star, lasting only a few million years compared to the billions of years spent in the main sequence phase. However, it is a crucial period in the star's evolution, as it sets the stage for the final stages of stellar evolution, including the formation of white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes.