Giant star
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A Giant star is a star that has stopped fusing hydrogen in its core. More specifically, the term giant star refers to a star that belongs to the luminosity class III in the Yerkes spectral classification. Low-mass stars remain in this luminosity class until they settle down as white dwarfs. More massive stars only visit this luminosity class on their way to becoming much brighter bright giants or supergiants. Well-known giant stars of various colours include:
- Regor (γ Velorum): a blue (O-type) giant
- Alcyone (η Tauri): a blue-white (B-type) giant; the brightest of the Pleiades
- Thuban (α Draconis): a white (A-type) giant
- σ Octantis: a yellow-white (F-type) giant; the southern pole star
- Capella (α Aurigae): a yellow (G-type) giant
- Pollux (β Geminorum): an orange (K-type) giant
- Mira (ο Ceti): a red (M-type) giant
See also
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