Roughly how massive must a star be initially to evolve into a Red Supergiant rather than a Red Giant?
Answer
Around eight times the Sun's mass or more.
Red Supergiants represent the end-stage evolution for stars significantly more massive than the Sun, typically those starting at around eight times the Sun's mass or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What single fundamental variable dictates the difference between a Red Giant and a Red Supergiant's core fate?After helium burning concludes, what typically happens to the core fusion process in a star similar to the Sun (Red Giant)?Roughly how massive must a star be initially to evolve into a Red Supergiant rather than a Red Giant?What nuclear process initiates core fusion in a standard Red Giant after hydrogen is depleted?What element's formation halts continuous fusion in the core of a Red Supergiant because its fusion consumes energy?What primarily supports the core of a massive Red Supergiant during helium, carbon, and subsequent burning stages?What specific, sudden ignition event can occur in the degenerate core of a lower-mass Red Giant when helium fusion begins?How is the internal structure of a Red Supergiant described while it is undergoing sequential core burning stages?How does the duration of successive core burning stages in a massive Red Supergiant generally compare to the star's main sequence life?What is the typical ultimate fate of a star similar to the Sun after it concludes its Red Giant phase?How does the pressure support mechanism during helium flash in a low-mass Red Giant differ from the primary support during subsequent burning in a Supergiant core?