Hydrogen-deficient star radii. Hydrogen deficiency results from stellar evolution. Over the course of a star's evolution, both the consumption of hydrogen in nuclear fusion and the removal of hydrogen layers by explosive processes can lead to a deficiency of hydrogen in its atmosphere. Detailed theoretical models are still in their infancy. Modeling of hydrogen-deficient star evolution involves either a single-star approach or a binary-star approach. For example, there have been two theories put forward to explain the formation of extreme helium stars. The helium final flash scenario is a single-star approach in which a helium flash serves to consume the hydrogen from
Hydrogen-deficient star Hydrogen-deficient star A hydrogen-deficient star is a type of star that has little or no hydrogen in its atmosphere. Hydrogen deficiency is unusual in a star, as hydrogen is typically the most common element in a stellar atmosphere. Despite being rare, there are a variety of star types that display a hydrogen deficiency. Hydrogen-deficient stars had been noted prior to the discovery of their hydrogen deficiency. In 1797, Edward Pigott noted the profound variation in stellar magnitude of R Coronae Borealis (R CrB). In 1867, Charles Wolf and Georges Rayet discovered unusual emission line structure in Wolf-Rayet stars. Hydrogen deficiency