1/12 Solar Mass

Astrophysicists estimate that a minimum of 1/12 the mass of our sun is required for a "main sequence" star to form. The adjective "main sequence" describes the fact that amongst other nuclear reactions that might or might not be occuring, in particular, hydrogen nuclei are fusing four at a time to form two helium nuclei as the product of the reaction. The energy released from such a reaction fuels another such reaction which fuels another and another and so on leading to what is referred to as a chain reaction. The weight of the gases in the star, or in other words the gravitational attraction of the material of the star to itself, keeps the whole thing from exploding apart like a hydrogen bomb but otherwise the two forms of the reaction are indistinguishable.

An amazing amount of energy escapes the star into the void of space through the mechanism of electromagnetic radiation. Now, if all this seems a bit esoteric, I understand. I have a masters level education in Physics from a major state research university and I feel like I have a lot to learn. My area of focus was ordinary condensed matter which encompasses the physical properties of plain vanilla stuff we find here on earth under the conditions typically found on the surface not the conditions of extreme pressure and temperature found inside a star. My education partly qualifies me to serve as the Show Me Solar savant. More importantly, my efforts to harness the power of the sun here on earth have delivered me to this important role.

So why did I choose to start my blog with this tid bit of astrophysics? Well, I wanted to draw an analogy between the formation of a main sequence star, a star like our sun that bathes our earth in so much radiated energy, and this inaugral posting of my blog.

Here I hope to make a record of events solar lifestyle that I envision for myself and all mankind. I believe it has a lot in common with a collection of visions that have been spreading across the planet much the same way that the sun's rays advance across the curvature of the earth as it spins into the dawn of a new day. I believe it is a vision that has been influenced by many other visions much like a musician's art is influenced by that of other musicians. I believe it is a vision that will continue to evolve and grow in concert with the vision of others. I believe it is a vision of hope for our planet.

So for me, someone who has never blogged before. I want to view this first posting as the birth of my star. The ignition of the critical mass of material that has accumulated in my being since I was born. Slowly accreting until this day when it reached 1/12 the mass of our sun. May I radiate my energy and continue to receive all the warming rays of my companion stars for the rest of my "solar" life.

Peace be with you,

The Show Me Solar Savant