Sakurai's object: stellar evolution in "real time".
Abstract
We present an account of the current understanding of Sakurai's object. Since its discovery in early 1996 this star has shown a highly remarkable evolution in terms of brightness, spectrum and energy distribution. All observational facts are in agreement with the notion that Sakurai's object is undergoing a late helium flash. Despite the theory estimate that about 10% of all low mass stars will experience such an event, a late He-flash is an exceedingly rare observational event due to its brief duration. Therefore Sakurai's object offers a unique opportunity to witness stellar evolution in "real time"; in fact it is the first such opportunity for modern instrumentation.
- Publication:
-
New Astronomy Reviews
- Pub Date:
- 1999
- DOI:
- 10.1016/S1387-6473(99)00029-9
- Bibcode:
- 1999NewAR..43..425K
- Keywords:
-
- Stellar Evolution: Post-AGB Stars;
- Stellar Evolution: Helium Flash;
- Stellar Evolution: Methods of Observation