What is a helium flash?
A)The ignition of helium shell burning in a high-mass star with a carbon core.
B)A sudden brightening of a low-mass star,detectable from Earth by observing spectral lines of helium.
C)It is another name for the helium fusion reaction.
D)The sudden onset of helium fusion in the core of a low-mass star.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Helium flash is the sudden onset of helium fusion in the core of a low-mass star. It happens when the core temperature becomes hot enough for helium fusion to occur, but the pressure is not yet high enough to support the core against gravitational collapse. This causes a rapid increase in temperature and pressure, which ignites helium fusion and leads to a burst of energy known as the helium flash.

What Is a Helium Flash