What process sustains the brilliance of any star, including our Sun?
Answer
Fusing lighter elements into heavier ones in the core
A star's luminosity is fundamentally sustained by nuclear fusion occurring deep within its core. This process involves the colossal energy released when lighter elements, primarily hydrogen, are fused together to create heavier elements, such as helium. This continuous energy generation creates an outward thermal pressure that perfectly counteracts the inward crushing force of gravity, maintaining the star's stability throughout its main sequence lifetime. When this fusion engine slows or stops due to fuel exhaustion, the visible output ceases or changes drastically.
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