However, I can tell you about the fusion happening in our real sun right now:
The primary fusion reaction in the sun is the proton-proton chain reaction. Here's a simplified explanation:
1. Two protons (hydrogen nuclei) collide. This is a very rare event, requiring extremely high temperatures and pressure found in the sun's core.
2. One proton decays into a neutron, emitting a positron (antimatter electron) and a neutrino. This leaves behind a deuterium nucleus (one proton and one neutron).
3. The deuterium nucleus captures another proton, forming a helium-3 nucleus (two protons and one neutron).
4. Two helium-3 nuclei fuse together to create a helium-4 nucleus (two protons and two neutrons), releasing two protons.
This process releases a tremendous amount of energy in the form of photons (light) and neutrinos.
The net reaction can be summarized as: 4 protons → 1 helium-4 nucleus + energy
The proton-proton chain reaction is responsible for the vast majority of the sun's energy production. There are other minor fusion reactions happening as well, but this is the dominant one.
