Helium

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Helium is an element with the atomic number 2. It has two protons and two neutrons in its nucleus which is orbited by two electrons. It is the second most abundant element in the universe. It is created from hydrogen atoms in the process of nuclear fusion that occurs within stars. The Sun is about 25% Helium. Helium was named after the Sun (called "Helios" in Greek) because it was first discovered on the Sun by Jules Janssen in 1868. Helium is plentiful on the Sun and rare on Earth.