Why does the sun shine?
NASA
NASA
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Check out our online store - minerals, fossils, books, activities, jewelry, and household items!...moreWhy does the sun shine?
Like other stars, the Sun is made up mainly of hydrogen gas. The temperature at the Sun's surface is about 10,000 degrees F, but rises to about 27,000,000 degrees F at its core. The temperature and pressure...more
Why does the sun shine?
The energy made in nuclear reactions in the Sun's core travels outward through the Sun's intermediate layers. In the radiation zone, energy gradually travels outward as atoms repeatedly absorb and give...more
IMF
IMF stands for Interplanetary Magnetic Field. It is another name for the Sun's magnetic field. The Sun's magnetic field is huge! It goes beyond any of the planets. The Sun's magnetic field got its name...more
The Hydrogen Fusion Process
In the basic Hydrogen fusion cycle, four Hydrogen nuclei (protons) come together to make a Helium nucleus. This is the simple version of the story. There are actually electrons, neutrinos and photons involved...more
Fusion Inside the Stars
Fusion in the core of stars is reached when the density and temperature are high enough. There are different fusion cycles that occur in different phases of the life of a star. These different cycles make...more
The Neutron Capture Process
Neutron capture can occur when a neutron approaches a nucleus close enough for nuclear forces to be effective. The neutron is captured and forms a heavier isotope of the capturing element. When the new...more
The Supernova
A Supernova is a very massive star that explodes at the end of its life cycle. The supernova is the furnace where the heavy elements (heavier than iron) are formed. ...moreShop Windows to the Universe
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