Loading...

Glossary term: Stellar Core

Also known as solar core

Description: The stellar core is the central region of a star. For stars on the main sequence (like the Sun), the core is the site of nuclear fusion, the energy source for a star. In the core of a main sequence star, hydrogen atoms are fused, forming helium. In evolved stars such as giants there may be no nuclear fusion in the core, or other elements such as helium could provide the fuel for this nuclear fusion. In these evolved stars, hydrogen fusion (and other nuclear fusion processes) can take place in shells around the core.

Related Terms:



See this term in other languages

Term and definition status: This term and its definition have been approved by a research astronomer and a teacher

The OAE Multilingual Glossary is a project of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE) in collaboration with the IAU Office of Astronomy Outreach (OAO). The terms and definitions were chosen, written and reviewed by a collective effort from the OAE, the OAE Centers and Nodes, the OAE National Astronomy Education Coordinators (NAECs) and other volunteers. You can find a full list of credits here. All glossary terms and their definitions are released under a Creative Commons CC BY-4.0 license and should be credited to "IAU OAE".