Ultimate Source Of Nuclear Energy

We have been asked during our energy program how nuclear energy fits into the mix when all of our other forms of energy derive ultimately from the sun.

The tie-in is actually pretty interesting. Most of the energy we use comes directly or indirectly from the sun, which is “burning” hydrogen created during the Big bang. Stars fuse hydrogen atoms into heavier elements only up to iron. The planets, and all the elements heavier than iron (further down the periodic table) are composed of stuff created in supernovae, dying exploding stars, that preceded the sun. Only a supernova is energetic enough to create the exotic and unstable elements up to uranium. So nuclear reactors, which run primarily on uranium, ultimately derive their energy also from stars, although not our sun.