Ask Ethan: When do stars turn the most mass into energy?
Briefly

The article explores the nuclear fusion process within stars, highlighting its significance in energy release according to Einstein's equation, E=mc². It challenges the common narrative surrounding stellar evolution, emphasizing prevalent misconceptions even among professional astronomers. Driven by a reader's inquiry, it aims to clarify how mass-to-energy conversion varies through the stellar life cycle, illustrating that while fusion is important, it isn't the sole determinant of brightness and longevity. The piece aims to detail the complexities of stellar dynamics and evolution, suggesting a deeper understanding is necessary.
The nuclear fusion of light elements into heavier ones powers stars and leads to their evolution, but misconceptions exist even among professionals regarding energy conversion and stellar life cycles.
While nuclear fusion is critical for star evolution, it is not solely responsible for energy emission; other processes also contribute, and this distinction is crucial to understanding stellar dynamics.
Read at Big Think
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