Yes, you are correct. When we look at distant stars in the night sky, we are essentially looking into the past. The reason for this is that light takes time to travel through space, and the stars we see are typically located at significant distances from us.
For example, if a star is located 100 light-years away, it means that the light we see from that star today actually started its journey 100 years ago. In that time span, many things could have happened to the star. It is possible that the star no longer exists or has undergone significant changes since the light we observe was emitted.
So, by observing distant stars, we are essentially seeing them as they were in the past. The light reaching us provides a historical record of events that occurred at the source of the light many years ago. This phenomenon allows astronomers to study the evolution of stars and galaxies over vast timescales.
However, it's important to note that not all stars we observe are necessarily extinct or destroyed. Many stars have lifespans that extend beyond the time it takes for their light to reach us. Therefore, while some of the stars we see may no longer exist, others may still be shining in the present, even though we see them as they were in the past.