Do the stars we see still exist
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Do the Stars We See Still Exist?
Perception of Stars and Naïve Realism
The question of whether the stars we see still exist touches on both philosophical and scientific realms. Philosophically, it seems possible to see a star that no longer exists, which challenges the notion that we can only see what currently exists. This puzzle is often addressed by abandoning naïve realism in favor of a sense-datum view. However, within a naïve realist framework, one can argue for an eternalist view of time, suggesting that we see a still-existent star-stage located in the distant past.
Stellar Relics and Metal-Deficient Stars
From an astronomical perspective, the stars we observe today may indeed be relics from the early universe. The chemical composition of the most metal-deficient stars reflects the gas from which they formed, providing clues to the star formation history and the synthesis of chemical elements in the early universe. The discovery of a low-mass star with an iron abundance significantly lower than that of the Sun suggests that population III stars, the first generation of stars, could still exist. These stars are long-lived and may still be observable today.
Survival of Pristine Stars
The survival of pristine stars from the first generation is a topic of ongoing research. Analytical estimates suggest that if such stars had formed in significant numbers and preserved their pristine chemical composition, we should have found them by now. The lack of such discoveries implies that the number of surviving pristine stars is likely very low, if not zero.
Observing Stars in Urban Environments
The visibility of stars is also influenced by urban light pollution. It is possible to enjoy starry skies in cities if light emissions are kept within acceptable levels and direct glare from light sources is avoided. This would allow for reasonably dark skies even in large metropolitan areas, making it possible to observe stars that are otherwise obscured by city lights.
Conclusion
In summary, the stars we see may still exist, especially if they are long-lived, low-mass stars from the early universe. Philosophically, we might be seeing star-stages from the past, aligning with an eternalist view of time. However, the survival of pristine first-generation stars is unlikely based on current observational constraints. Urban light pollution also plays a significant role in our ability to observe stars, but with proper management, we can still enjoy starry skies in cities.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic