Our Star
Chapter Ten discussed Our Star, or the Sun. The Sun is affected by both chemical processes and gravitational contractions. The idea that our one Sun could generate so much energy was a mystery for a long time for people who struggled to understand how this was possible. Nuclear fusion occurs deep in the Sun's core. The Sun continues to shine from day to day because it has reached a balance of gravitational equilibrium (balance between the outward movement of internal gas and the gravitational pull towards the center). There is also a balance of energy which balances out the rate to which the Sun releases and produces energy.
The Sun has noticeable sun spots, or dark spots on the surface. These sun spots have a cycle in which they appear or disappear. These routines are also affected by the magnetic field which is located in the Sun. The Sun's atmosphere is even hotter than the Sun's surface. The interior of the Sun can reach 15 million K, which is very hot.
The nuclear fusion in the sun involves positively charged nuclei which fuse together when they pass close by one another. The atoms involved in this nuclear fusion are hydrogen nuclei which fuse into one atom.
The atmosphere and energy release from the Sun acts together as a thermostat to keep the Sun's temperature and production of energy rate at the same speed. The fusion from within the Sun is released when the photons carrying the energy randomly bounce from one atom to the next, eventually being propelled out from the Sun.
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