Question about origins of elements

  • Thread starter dangerbird
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In summary, the idea that stars fuse only up to iron during their lifetimes is backed up by both stellar spectra observations and nuclear theory. However, observations have also shown that stars do contain heavier elements and elements heavier than iron have been found on Earth, contradicting this idea. Therefore, the conclusion is that while fusion reactions up to iron may be self-sustaining, heavier elements are formed in stars through non-self-sustaining processes, such as supernovae.
  • #36
Doppler broadening and line blending in supernova spectra makes identification of heavy elements observationally challenging. Isolating their spectral lines from the bright glow of more abundant lighter elements is an issue.
 
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  • #37
Good clarification, Nabeshin. By the time protons froze out of the chaotic mess left over from the big bang, there was only enough time left to fuse elements up to around the atomic weight of lithium.
 
  • #38
Thanks for the clarification, Chronos.
 

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