The Evolution of the Stars

Abstract

PROF. G. GAMOW has recently discussed in NATURE¹ the consequences of recent developments in nuclear theory on the problem of stellar evolution. In the light of the exact knowledge that is now available of a large number of nuclear reactions, it is possible to decide which processes rise to importance at the densities and temperatures prevailing in the stars, and on this basis trustworthy estimates have been given for the rate of liberation of subatomic energy. These results, which are the outcome of laboratory investigations, furnish the mathematical theory of internal constitution of the stars with a new equation that enables the luminosity of a star to be calculated by direct methods. The information so obtained has been utilized to attempt to resolve the many paradoxes and discrepancies encountered in discussing the general problem of stellar evolution. All this recent work has been authoritatively summarized by Gamow with great clarity and understanding in the article referred to above. It is therefore with some surprise that we find that Prof. Gamow concludes his article with the impression that these now developments practically solve the problems of stellar evolution. This seems to us to be so far from being the case that some further discussion of the claims of nuclear theory as the main factor in stellar evolution would be desirable.