CNO Cycle

The CNO (Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen) cycle is a process that fuels stars like our Sun by converting hydrogen into helium. In this cycle, hydrogen nuclei (protons) fuse with existing carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen nuclei, acting as catalysts. As the process continues through a series of reactions, energy is released in the form of light and heat, which powers the star. The cycle is most important in hotter, larger stars and helps explain how stars produce energy over long periods, maintaining their brightness and stability.