B Are Most Star Systems Composed Mainly of Light Elements?

  • B
  • Thread starter Thread starter David Fosco
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Systems
AI Thread Summary
Most star systems are not solely composed of light elements, as heavy elements originate from various processes, including supernovae and neutron star collisions. While supernovae distribute heavy elements throughout the galaxy, they are not the only source; ancient stars also contribute to the elemental makeup. The formation of our solar system involved the incorporation of these heavy elements, which may have come from multiple generations of supernovae. Additionally, the concept of metallicity highlights the varying abundance of elements in different stars. Overall, the composition of star systems is complex and influenced by multiple astronomical events.
David Fosco
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
TL;DR Summary
Looking for a root question of life on other planets.
If we were made from a Supernova (all our heavy elements) does that mean most star systems are made up of just a few of the first elements encluding planets?
Thanks for your time.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
There's a very germane article on Wikipedia. Short answer, supernovas are not the only source.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nucleosynthesis

1609120651503.png


Edit: see also
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallicity
 
  • Like
Likes Motore and PeroK
Supernovas blasted heavy elements all over the galaxy. They were incorporated into the Sun (and planets) at the time of their formation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abundance_of_the_chemical_elements#Universe
Our elements may have been through several "generations" of supernovas.
There are some ancient early generation stars (not big enough to supernova) that are low in heavy elements.
 

Thread 'Potential biosignature found in Mars rock'

Publication: Redox-driven mineral and organic associations in Jezero Crater, Mars Article: NASA Says Mars Rover Discovered Potential Biosignature Last Year Press conference The ~100 authors don't find a good way this could have formed without life, but also can't rule it out. Now that they have shared their findings with the larger community someone else might find an explanation - or maybe it was actually made by life.
View full post »

Thread 'Does it make sense to build new radio telescopes?'

TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
View full post »
Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

This is indirectly evidenced by a map of the distribution of gamma-ray bursts in the night sky, made in the form of an elongated globe. And also the weakening of gamma radiation by the disk and the center of the Milky Way, which leads to anisotropy in the possibilities of observing gamma-ray bursts. My line of reasoning is as follows: 1. Gamma radiation should be absorbed to some extent by dust and other components of the interstellar medium. As a result, with an extragalactic origin, fewer...
View full post »

Similar threads

I The Heavier Elements: A Question About Their Abundance
Replies
28
Views
3K
I The stellar system genesis & supernova cycle
Replies
1
Views
2K
I J0524-0336, surprisingly high Li concentration
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Early Catalog of Planet-Hosting Multiple Star (≥ 3) Systems
Replies
3
Views
2K
I Heavy elements from neutron star collisions?
Replies
6
Views
2K
I How does the distribution of elements change over time?
Replies
3
Views
2K
I Star formation and heavy elements
Replies
19
Views
4K
I How Can We Measure Properties of Distant Planets and Stars?
Replies
12
Views
2K
Origin of the Solar System: Understanding Hydrogen & Heavy Elements
Replies
10
Views
3K
B Evolution of planetary system around a white dwarf
Replies
0
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top