What happens to red giants at the end of their lives?

What happens to red giants at the end of their lives?

At the end of their lives, red giants undergo significant changes, eventually shedding their outer layers.

What do they become after shedding their layers?

After shedding their outer layers, red giants can become planetary nebulae, leaving behind a hot core that becomes a white dwarf.

Is a white dwarf the final stage for all red giants?

Not all red giants become white dwarfs. Some, especially the most massive ones, may explode as supernovae and leave behind neutron stars or black holes.

How long does this process take?

The entire process from red giant to white dwarf can take millions of years, but the shedding of layers happens relatively quickly in astronomical terms.