In the distant cosmic future, a theoretical concept emerges – the Iron Star, a celestial entity postulated to arise around 10^1500 years from now. This hypothetical scenario suggests that quantum tunnelling could trigger cold fusion, causing light nuclei in ordinary matter to transform into iron-56 nuclei.
(Artistic depiction)
The formation of Iron Stars hinges on the assumption that protons remain stable. Unlike the iron-rich surface predicted for neutron stars, an Iron Star represents a distinct stellar entity. However, as the eons pass, these Iron Stars, if they were to exist, would eventually collapse into neutron stars and black holes between 10^10^26 and 10^10^76 years later. It's a speculative cosmic journey where iron takes center stage before bowing out to the cosmic evolution of denser structures.