Stellar Nucleosynthesis
Stellar nucleosynthesis is the process by which stars create new elements through nuclear reactions. In the intense heat and pressure of a star's core, lighter elements like hydrogen fuse together to form heavier elements, such as helium and eventually elements like carbon, oxygen, and iron. This fusion releases vast amounts of energy, powering the star and contributing to its lifespan. When massive stars explode as supernovae, they scatter these newly formed elements across space, enriching the universe and allowing for the formation of new stars, planets, and even life.
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Stellar nucleosynthesis is the process by which stars produce new elements through nuclear fusion. Inside a star, extreme heat and pressure cause lighter elements, like hydrogen, to combine into heavier ones, such as helium and carbon. This process releases vast amounts of energy, which powers stars and produces light. When stars exhaust their fuel, some explode in supernovae, scattering these elements into space, enriching the universe. This is essential for forming new stars, planets, and life, as the elements created in stars are the building blocks found in everything around us, including our own bodies.