The story of the star Sanduleak -69o 202
t = -7 days
Silicon (Si) and sulfur (S) ignition in core. Iron (Fe) production
commences.
- Other nuclear fusion reactions continue in shells around the core.
- Si and S burning in core to make Fe.
The situation near the end of this phase:
- Nuclear fusion reactions in shells around core.
- An iron core has formed. No energy is availble from making
nuclei heavier than iron.
- Core mass ~ 1.4 Msun.
- Core size ~ size of Mars.
- Core density ~ 2 x 107 x density of water.
- Core temperature ~ 1010 K.
Davison E. Soper, Institute of Theoretical Science,
University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403 USA
soper@bovine.uoregon.edu