THERMONUCLEAR ASTROPHYSICS: MAIN CHARACTERISTICS - SCIENCE - 2026

The thermonuclear astrophysics is a specific branch of physics that studies celestial bodies and the release of energy from these, produced through nuclear fusion. It is also known as nuclear astrophysics.

This science was born with the assumption that the laws of physics and chemistry that are currently known are true and universal.

Thermonuclear astrophysics is a theoretical-experimental science on a reduced scale, since the majority of space and planetary phenomena have been studied but not proven on the scale that involves planets and the universe.

The main objects of study in this science are stars, gaseous clouds, and cosmic dust, which is why it is closely intertwined with astronomy.

It could even be said that it is born from astronomy. Its main premise has been to answer the questions of the origin of the universe, although its commercial or economic interest is in the energy field.

Thermonuclear Astrophysics Applications

1- Photometry

It is the basic science of astrophysics that is responsible for measuring the amount of light that stars emit.

When stars form and become dwarfs, they begin to emit luminosity as a result of the heat and energy that is produced within them.

Nuclear fusions of various chemical elements such as helium, iron and hydrogen are produced within stars, all according to the stage or sequence of life in which these stars are found.

As a result of this, stars vary in size and color. From the Earth only a white luminous point is perceived, but the stars have more colors; their luminosity does not allow the human eye to capture them.

Thanks to photometry and the theoretical part of thermonuclear astrophysics, the life phases of various known stars have been established, which increases understanding of the universe and its chemical and physical laws.

2- Nuclear fusion

Space is the natural place for thermonuclear reactions, since the stars (including the Sun) are the main celestial bodies.

In nuclear fusion two protons get close to such a point that they manage to overcome electrical repulsion and join together, releasing electromagnetic radiation.

This process is recreated in nuclear power plants on the planet, in order to make the most of the release of electromagnetic radiation and the heat or thermal energy resulting from said fusion.

3- The formulation of the Big Bang theory

Some experts claim that this theory is part of physical cosmology; however, it also encompasses the field of study of thermonuclear astrophysics.

The Big Bang is a theory, not a law, so it still finds problems in its theoretical approaches. Nuclear astrophysics supports him, but it also contradicts him.

The non-alignment of this theory with the second principle of thermodynamics is its main point of divergence.

This principle says that physical phenomena are irreversible; consequently, entropy cannot be stopped.

Although this goes hand in hand with the notion that the universe is constantly expanding, this theory shows that the universal entropy is still very low relative to the theoretical birth date of the universe, 13.8 billion years ago.

This has led to explain the Big Bang as a great exception to the laws of physics, thus weakening its scientific character.

However, much of the Big Bang theory is based on photometry and the physical characteristics and age of stars, both fields of study being nuclear astrophysics.

References

1. Audouze, J., & Vauclair, S. (2012). An Introduction to Nuclear Astrophysics: The Formation and the Evolution of Matter in the Universe. Paris-London: Springer Science & Business Media.
2. Cameron, AG, & Kahl, DM (2013). Stellar Evolution, Nuclear Astrophysics, and Nucleogenesis. AGW Cameron, David M. Kahl: Courier Corporation.
3. Ferrer Soria, A. (2015). Nuclear and particle physics. Valencia: University of Valencia.
4. Lozano Leyva, M. (2002). The cosmos in the palm of your hand. Barcelona: Debols! Llo.
5. Marian Celnikier, L. (2006). Find a Hotter Place !: A History of Nuclear Astrophysics. London: World Scientific.