Alchemical Furnaces of the Cosmos

Abstract

The Sun and other stars generate energy by nuclear fusion processes that convert hydrogen into helium. Eddington was first to suggest the conversion of hydrogen into helium might fuel the stars. At the time stars were thought to have a composition similar to that of the Earth, which cast doubt on Eddington’s idea. Cecilia Payne corrected this misconception and showed the Sun and stars are actually formed of hydrogen and helium with only traces of other elements. Bethe and Crichfield devised mechanisms for how hydrogen nuclear fusion takes place in stars. In more massive stars, such as Betelgeuse, helium is converted into carbon and oxygen. We now know that all the elements beyond helium are created in the stars.