The nuclear fusion process in stellar cores where hydrogen nuclei are converted into helium, primarily through the proton-proton chain or CNO cycle. This is the main energy source for main sequence stars and the longest phase of stellar evolution.
From Greek 'hydro' meaning water and 'genes' meaning generator, combined with 'burning' (though no combustion occurs - it's nuclear fusion). The term evolved as astronomers understood stellar energy sources in the mid-20th century.
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