Q: Using a value of mu_e = 0.61 (appropriate for a hydrogen-rich envelope) and the value of mu_c = 1.33 you calculated earlier, what is the critical mass for a helium core? 2 ( 0.61 ) M_core = M * 0.37 * ( ------ ) ( 1.33 ) = 0.08 * M So, if the helium core grows to about 8 percent of the total mass of the star, thermal pressure will not be able to support it.