The Sun acts like it has a big magnet in the middle of it. We call this the Sun's magnetic field. The Sun's magnetic field has a fancier name, the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). This just means that...more
In the basic Hydrogen fusion cycle, four Hydrogen nuclei come together to make a Helium nucleus. This is the simple version of the story. There are actually electrons, neutrinos and photons involved in...more
Fusion in the core of stars is reached when the density and temperature are high enough. There are different fusion cycles that happen in different phases of the life of a star. These different cycles...more
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
A Supernova is a very massive star that explodes at the end of its life. The supernova is where the heavy elements (heavier than iron) are made. ...more
The center of an atom is called the nucleus. Nuclei is the plural of nucleus. When two atoms come together, and their nuclei combine, you have fusion. Fusion releases energy. By using Einstein's famous...more