What happens to a high mass star once it reaches Hydrostatic Equilibrium?

1 Answer
Mar 30, 2017

Any star in hydrostatic equilibrium is stable.

Explanation:

When a star, of any size, is in hydrostatic equilibrium it means that gravity which is trying to collapse the star is balanced by pressures generated by fusion reactions in the core.

Hence any star in hydrostatic equilibrium is stable.

Once the balance is broken by gravity taking control, then the star will collapse into a white dwarf, neutron star or black hole. High mass stars collapse into neutron stars or black holes.