Red-giant branch hydrogen fusion continues in stars of roughly solar mass until the helium core increases in mass sufficiently that it becomes degenerate. The core then shrinks, heats up, and develops a strong temperature gradient. The hydrogen shell, fusing via the temperature-sensitive CNO cycle, greatly increases its rate of energy production and the stars is considered to be at the foot of the red-giant branch. For a star the same mass as the sun, this takes approximately 2 billion years from the time that hydrogen was exhausted in the core. Subgiants more than about reach the Schönberg–Chandrasekhar limit relatively quickly before the
Red and white giant flying squirrel found in mountain areas, they nest in hollow trees. They move between the trees of their ecosystem by gliding by use of a patagium, typically over distances of 10–20 meters although glides of up to 400 meters longer have been observed when they happen to be traveling downhill. This species has a wide distribution and a presumed large population, it occurs in many protected areas, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as being of "least concern". Red and white giant flying squirrel The red and white giant flying squirrel ("Petaurista alborufus") is a species of