UNIT Sun Cycle (with Granulation and The Main Sequence).

Note: all tracks recorded under the names Academy 23 or UNIT are the property of DNA Records and protected by copyright, regardless of who wrote the works concerned. This is a track from our 52nd album ‘Science & Sanity’.

In the vast unvanquished vistas of interstellar space,
clouds of gas and dust collect and slowly coalesce;
under gravity’s attraction the process gathers pace.
This describes the sequence of events, more or less,
and as density and heat both sufficiently increase,
nuclear reactions start another stellar dawn;
from hydrogen to helium, an energy release –
four million tons of mass a second says a star is born.

Hydrogen one to hydrogen two, as a proton becomes a neutron anew;
a process of beta disintegration causes emission of radiation
as a neutrino is carried away, the process continues without delay.
Hydrogen two to helium three emits radiation, obviously;
a proton is added: an isotope of helium three in the heliotrope.
Helium three to helium four, in accordance with the law,
heat it loses, energy saves – this is the way the sun behaves.

For ten thousand million years or more, hydrogen is fused,
with stars of every sort and size, it’s hard to be exact;
but when no more hydrogen remains, helium is used;
with helium exhausted, heavier elements then react.
The temperature increases, to make the core contract:
it then converts to iron in the grip of gravity’s hands.
These energy releases signify the final act:
when the core collapse is imminent, the outer shell expands.
The temperature cools, the density drops;
now three hundred times its original size it’s no surprise
it finally stops and a great red giant now fills the skies.

Before very long (on the cosmic scale), its energy spent, the star deflates.
Its final song is a sombre tale: as a white dwarf it balefully waits
while its last reserves of nuclear fuel splutter and flutter and finally fade.
When mass and energy fight a duel, plainly a price has to be paid.
Now you know why the sun in the sky was born and how it’ll finally die.

Andy Martin – Vocals, Hammond Organ, Piano, ARP 2600, Mini Moog.
Keilan Knight – 5 String Bass Guitar, Xylophone.
Colin Murrell – Drums, Vibraphone.

Text & Music – Andy Martin.

You may be interested in these other tracks by UNIT.

The Earth Is Finite.
Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes.
Osaka Boy.
Barbara’s Bridge.
A Study Of Alkaline Metals.
The 613 Mitzvot.
The Unwanted.
A Song For Eric Cooper.
Amery Hill School.
Realise Your Potential.
1985.
Resonance Rocks Out.
Yom Kippur.
The Noahide Laws.
Hup Soon Heng.
Eagle.
When We Were Friends.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The paypal address is now [email protected].

In addition we have 7 books available in PDF format free on request.

Not In Front Of The Children: A Study Of Grange Hill 1978 – 1993
Fast – Clean – Cheap (A Compendium)
Civil Disobedience – A Collection Of Short Stories For Children
Behind The Bike Shed – A Novel For Children
Grange Hill 1994 – 2008
The No Nation Interview
Birds, Bridges & Boys – Short Stories For Adults