Compact sources of EUV radiation

Contrary to classical theoretical expectations extreme ultraviolet emissions from a number of stellar objects have been recently discovered. A combined EUV and optical study of these sources has revealed a wealth of new information on stellar structure and evolution especially for what regards the transition stage between planetary nebulae and white dwarfs. The current status of research in this field is reviewed with emphasis on the impact these observations are having on our view of the later stages of stellar evolution and on the future possibility that could be awaiting a sensitive all sky survey of the EUV spectrum.