The Solar Core

An artist's picture of the solar interior. Energy is generated in the solar core Click on image for full size (19K GIF) Image courtesy of NASA

The solar core is made up of an extremely hot and dense gas (in the plasma state). Despite a density of 160,000 Kg/m³, the temperature of 15 million degrees Kelvin (27 million degrees Faranheit) prevents the core from reaching the solid state.

The core is the region where the energy of the Sun is produced. The density and temperature are such that nuclear fusion reactions can take place: these reactions release energy both in the form of electromagnetic energy (gamma rays) and particles (in particular neutrinos). Despite the reactions, the Sun's core is a very dark place!