| 释义 |
three-alpha process three-alpha process[′thrē ¦al·fə ′prä‚səs] (astrophysics) A nuclear reaction in which three helium-4 nuclei (alpha particles) combine to form a carbon-12 nucleus, with the emission of a gamma ray; it converts helium into carbon in red giants. Also known as Salpeter process; triple-alpha process. |