Nucleosynthesis
Advanced Burning Stages
In the final phase of a massive star, the core burns successively heavier fuels — carbon, neon, oxygen, and silicon — each stage faster than the last, building an onion-like structure of shells. Silicon burning yields iron, which cannot release energy by fusing, ending the sequence and setting the stage for core collapse.
Stars, stages & concepts
Across stellar astrophysics
Knowledge connections
- Associated withMassive-Star Core Collapse
- Associated withMassive-Star Core Collapse
- Associated withBig Bang Nucleosynthesis
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.