Stellar Evolution
Stellar Evolution describes the fascinating life cycle of stars, from their formation in nebulae to their ultimate fate as white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes. This process is intricately linked with the study of exoplanets, as the evolutionary stages of a star have profound implications for the planets that orbit it. For instance, a red giant star, which has exhausted the hydrogen in its core and begun to fuse helium, can engulf nearby planets, while a white dwarf, the remnant of a low-mass star, may host rocky or icy bodies in tight orbits. Therefore, understanding stellar evolution is crucial for interpreting exoplanetary data and developing theories about planetary systems.