Why does the sun shine?


Windows Original.

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 off energy produced in the core. Nearer the surface, in the convection zone, hot gases rise up to the surface, cool, and sink again. This produces a pattern on the surface of the Sun.

Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!

Cool It! is the new card game from the Union of Concerned Scientists that teaches kids about the choices we have when it comes to climate change—and how policy and technology decisions made today will matter. Cool It! is available in our online store.

You might also be interested in:

Ammonite Pendant

Check out our online store - minerals, fossils, books, activities, jewelry, and household items!...more

Why 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. ...more

Shop Windows to the Universe

The Winter 2010 issue of The Earth Scientist includes a variety of educational resources, ranging from astronomy to glaciers. Check out the other publications and classroom materials in our online store.

Generous sponsorship of Windows to the Universe is provided by the Hewlett Foundation, the American Geological Institute, the American Geophysical Union, the National Science Foundation, NASA, NCAR, and the CISM and CMMAP projects. NASA CMMAP AGU CISM NCAR Hewlett AGI NSF