Stars and Atoms

work by Eddington

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June 11, 2026

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Sir Arthur Eddington was an English astronomer and mathematician known for his work on the internal structure and evolution of stars. He was also a key figure in popularizing Albert Einstein's theory of relativity in English.1

Eddington's work, particularly his book Stars and Atoms (1927), explored the connection between stars and the atoms that compose them. He proposed that the immense energy radiated by stars, like our Sun, is generated by the fusion of hydrogen into helium. This process, known as nuclear fusion, converts mass into energy according to Einstein's famous equation, (E=mc^2). This understanding revolutionized astrophysics by explaining the source of stellar energy.123

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Arthur Eddington
Philosophy of science
…the public lectures published as Stars and Atoms (1927). In his well-written popular books he also set forth his scientific epistemology, which he called “selective subjectivism” and “structuralism”—i.e., the interplay of physical observations and geometry. He believed that a great part of physics simply reflected the interpretation that the scientist…
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…the public lectures published as Stars and Atoms (1927). In his well-written popular books he also set forth his scientific epistemology, which he called “selective subjectivism” and “structuralism”—i.e., the interplay of physical observations and geometry. He believed that a great part of physics simply reflected the interpretation that the scientist…
Read More