AGB stars (Asymptotic Giant Branch)

Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars are a late stage in the life cycle of stars similar in size to our Sun. After exhausting hydrogen and helium fuel, they expand significantly and cool, turning into large, luminous giants. AGB stars undergo complicated nuclear reactions, fusing helium into heavier elements. They are known for their unstable outer layers, which emit varying amounts of light and can lose material, forming beautiful planetary nebulae as they prepare to end their life cycles. These stars play a crucial role in recycling materials in the universe, enriching the interstellar medium with heavier elements.