the proton-proton (p-p) chain: For those with some nuclear physics background, the two main channels contributing to the energy production in the Sun are the pp I branch: p + p → D + e⁺ + νe, D + p → ³He + γ, ³He + ³He → ⁴He + 2p, and the pp II branch: ³He + ⁴He → ⁷Be + γ, ⁷Be + e^- → ⁷Li + νe, ⁷Li + p → 2⁴He.

“There is no way in which nuclei”: Bethe 1939, p. 446.

the results were published in the April 1: Alpher, Bethe, and Gamow 1948. Gamow had already presented the idea of nucleosynthesis in the big bang in Gamow 1942 and Gamow 1946.

often referred to as the “alphabetical article”: In his book The Creation of the Universe, Gamow jokes “There was, however, a rumor that later, when the α, β, γ theory went temporarily on the rocks, Dr. Bethe seriously considered changing his name to Zacharias” (Gamow 1961, p. 64).

“stubbornly refuses to change his name”: Gamow 1961, p. 64.