The vital activity of all life on earth is supported by sunlight. For many centuries, mankind has been wondering where the infinite power comes from in the luminary. It is especially interesting what causes this glow, and how long will it last?

False assumptions about the glow of the sun

For centuries, scientists have been convinced that the sun is very dense, composed of combustible material and constantly burns. But it is known that no metal, stone or other substance can do this indefinitely. The fire will run out one day.

The age of a red-hot star has long been established. She has been giving light to herself around the planetary system for many billions of years (long before the first human being). The temperature of the surface alone is 6000 degrees. It becomes clear that the "crush" would not be enough to this day. It was supposed to burn to the ground.

Other men of science were looking for the secret of constant light in the endless collisions of a celestial body with millions of meteorites that it attracts. But this theory turned out to be wrong. According to rigorous mathematical calculations, the mass of meteorites significantly exceeded the mass of the Sun over a multi-billion-dollar history of existence. He would have been destroyed by such bombers.

Interesting fact: the distance from the Earth to the Sun is an average of 150 million km. Sunlight overcomes it in 8.3 minutes.

There have been versions of the excessive attraction of solar particles, causing compression of the volume of a luminous star.But each time new flaws came to light.

Only at the beginning of the last century, physicists turned their eyes to the internal structure and the processes associated with its features.

Composition and structure of the Sun

The sun is a hot gaseous ball, exceeding the mass of the earth by more than 1.3 million times. In the center is a core whose temperature exceeds 1,500,000 degrees. It serves as a nuclear reactor. Following from it to the surface, several zones are distinguished: radiant transfer, convective, photosphere, chromosphere, corona. The composition of the Sun includes:

• hydrogen (74%)
• helium (25%)
• another 60 items (approximately 1%).

Glow of the sun

With every second in the center, lighter hydrogen is burned, which converts it into heavy helium. The formation of 1 helium core requires the fusion of 4 hydrogen. This process is identical to reactions in an atomic bomb, only slower. And it is called thermonuclear fusion.

Interesting fact:every second, 700 billion tons of hydrogen burns in the sun.

Ultimately, burning matter turns into energy. The latter propagates in the form of heat, an electromagnetic pulse, and finally, visible light. On average, a luminescence power of 62,000 kW is produced from 1 m² of solar area. So much under the power of 5 million light bulbs (100-watt).

Interesting fact: gravity on the surface of the Sun is 28 times larger than Earth. If a person on earth weighs 70 kg, on the Sun he will weigh 1960 kg.

The formation of helium nuclei (proton-proton cycle) stretches over time due to the sparseness of solar particles (they repel each other for a long time before merging). However, their incredibly huge number contributes to the infinity of the process.By the way, the glow has a yellow light (this is confirmed by special equipment). Refracting through the cosmic stratum, it is visible to white people.

How much longer will the sun shine?

Physicists hope that the "ancient Yaril" will have enough hydrogen reserves for another 5-6 billion years. And after the end of the term, the fate of the white dwarf awaits the celestial body (the familiar dimly glowing stars in the sky). Such an outcome is associated with the forthcoming acceleration of rotation around the axis of the core zone and at the surface.

Gradually, so much heat and energy will be produced in the center that a series of contractions (and densifications) of the core will become inevitable, as well as an expansion of the overall dimensions of the body itself. Mercury, Venus will be absorbed by the red giant, and it will increase to impossible volumes. The speed of fuel costs will increase significantly.

Interesting fact:The sun is 4.5 billion years old. After 5 billion years, it will turn into a red giant star and melt the surface of the Earth.

Over time, helium will also burn out, turning into heavier components. The outer shell will be lost, and the core will grow to the dimensions of the Earth. After this, the Light will finally cool down.

By that moment of earthly life will have to change either the form of existence or territory. It is hoped that none of the living will not find this.