*Ehem.* I think it’s time to lay down a bit of Poke-science regarding this.
Disclaimer: The information I am about to share is only scratching the surface of the physics behind stars. In truth, it is a lot more complicated, and if you know more, please feel free to correct / add to what I’ve written!
Disclaimer 2: We still don’t know the plot behind Solagleo’s typing. Hell, it may be nothing. But this is the best explanation I can give until the game can provide a proper explanation.
As we know, the sun is a star.
While most of us know that the sun is supposed to be fire, but really, the sun is a massive collection of gas, mostly hydrogen. In their core, stars undergo a process called nuclear fusion, where Hydrogen atoms are crushed together by gravity, to form Helium. The fusion is so powerful, it produces a ton of energy. This energy, called radiation, pushes against the gravity, and in turn, keeps the star from collapsing in on itself.
So long as fusion keeps producing radiation, the star will keep burning, and will remain stable for a while.
However, for heavier stars, the fusion doesn’t stop at Helium. When the Hydrogen supply runs out, they’ll start fusing Helium to create radiation. This process will continue, passing through various elements, such as Carbon, Neon, Oxygen, and even Silicon.
But at some point, we know that a star’s fuel will run out eventually, and fusion ceases. And that point comes when the atoms fuse to become one particular element. What is that element, you ask?
Iron.
The fusion process stops at Iron because when atoms fuse to become Iron, no energy is created. And thus, no radiation. The iron begins to build up in the core of the star, until it reaches critical mass. This is the point where the star loses its ability to create radiation, and thus, will begin to collapse into itself, until it dies in a supernova.
So, the reason why Solgaleo is Psychic/Steel is due to the fact that it may be associated with a dying star.
@scientificpokedex, I’d love to see your input on this! I know you know a lot more science than I do, so please feel free to correct anything!
Yes!!!! I really love this theory that Solgaleo might be associated with a dying star, especially because Solgaleo is known as “the beast that devours the sun” (x).
Beyond that, I think Solgaleo might be associated with sun spots and/or solar flares!
Like you said, stars have some crazy physics going on, not just in their cores! Sun spots and solar flares are both caused by the magnetic field of a star (which is an extremely crazy magnetic field). Other magnet pokemon including Magnemite, Beldum, and Probopass are also steel type! Solgaleo’s signature move, Sunsteel Strike, kind of looks like a solar flare too.
I am Silver Tongue, I am an artist. I have many characters and you can check out my art in the art tag. I occasionally practice witchcraft though I don't do anything too complicated. I am girl 2 and don't know what else to put here.