Nuclear Fusion

A reaction that involves two atomic nuclei merging to create the nucleus of a new atom. The reaction is accompanied by a tremendous release of energy. The Sun's energy, as with all stars, comes from nuclear fusion reactions that happen in its core. The reactions fuse hydrogen nuclei into helium nuclei. About 0.7 percent of the mass of the hydrogen is converted to energy, which makes the star shine.

Resources

Star Color and Energy Stars come in a variety of sizes and colors, but...
Aries, the Ram Aries, the ram, is a faint pattern marked by...

Radio Programs

Gamma-2 Velorum A star exposes its inner workings Friday, April 5, 2013
Polaris II The un-steady beat of the North Star Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Moon and Antares Building a stellar onion Saturday, July 28, 2012
The Sun II The long trip before the journey begins Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The Sun Powering up the Sun Monday, December 17, 2012
Triangulum Aging stars in the triangle Saturday, November 3, 2012
Unproductive Sun Outshining the Sun — sort of Monday, June 18, 2012
Capella A quick exit for a “heavy” star Friday, April 27, 2012
Star in a Bottle Making a bottleful of starstuff Friday, April 13, 2012
Supernova 1987A Blasting a giant star to bits Tuesday, February 21, 2012
White Dwarfs Squeezing the heart of a dead star Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Betelgeuse A superstar among supergiants Thursday, December 1, 2011
Alpha Persei A young but aging star Saturday, October 8, 2011
Pollux Forging the element of life Sunday, May 15, 2011
Gienah A young-but-old star Saturday, April 2, 2011
Denebola Shining through the moonlight Friday, March 18, 2011
Stellar Factory Forging elements in a stellar factory Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The Sun Shines Stoking the fires of the Sun Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Rigel A star with a bright but short future Monday, August 16, 2010
Moon and Aldebaran A star that's changing in a hurry Thursday, July 8, 2010
Moon and Spica The long beginning of a long journey Monday, May 24, 2010
Alkaid Getting a handle on the Big Dipper Sunday, May 9, 2010

Featured Images

Rings and bubbles from a dying star
 Jumping Through Hoops Thursday, August 5, 2010

FacebookTwitterYouTube

©2013 The University of Texas McDonald Observatory