Stars begin fusing when they reach a critical temperature and pressure in their cores, typically around 10 million degrees Celsius. This condition arises from gravitational collapse, which increases the core's density and temperature. Once these conditions are met, hydrogen nuclei (protons) can overcome their repulsion and collide, leading to nuclear fusion, where they combine to form helium and release vast amounts of energy. This process marks the transition from a protostar to a main-sequence star, enabling it to shine for millions to billions of years.
The pressure of the fusing gasses
All red giant stars will start helium fusion when their core is compressed.
Nearly 90 percent of all-stars are in the main-sequence phase of their life cycle. This is when they are fusing hydrogen into helium in their cores, a stable phase that can last for billions of years.
Nuclear fusion, usually by fusing hydrogen-1 to helium-4.
No, not all stars turn hydrogen into helium. Stars like our Sun do convert hydrogen into helium through nuclear fusion in their cores. However, more massive stars can undergo further fusion reactions involving helium, producing heavier elements like carbon, oxygen, and even iron.
Helium atoms
Any star that it fusing hydrogen into helium is classed as a main sequence star.
The pressure of the fusing gasses
No. A star is born when hydrogen stars fusing.
Balls of incandescent (fusing) hydrogen gas that was brought together by gravity.
No. Stars are only in the main sequence when they are fusing hydrogen.
The main sequence stars are stars that fuse hydrogen, so the stars that have left the main sequence are the ones that have basically run out of hydrogen. They are the Red Giant stars, Supergiant stars and White Dwarf stars.
No. The hydrogen in the universe was formed during the Big Bang. Stars consume hydrogen, fusing it into helium.
All red giant stars will start helium fusion when their core is compressed.
Nearly 90 percent of all-stars are in the main-sequence phase of their life cycle. This is when they are fusing hydrogen into helium in their cores, a stable phase that can last for billions of years.
Nuclear fusion, usually by fusing hydrogen-1 to helium-4.
Because that is the period in a stars life when it is fusing hydrogen into helium See related question