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7 - We Are (Mostly) Made of Stars

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 November 2019

Luke A. Barnes  and
Geraint F. Lewis
Luke A. Barnes
Affiliation:
Western Sydney University
Geraint F. Lewis
Affiliation:
Sydney Institute for Astronomy
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Summary

The universe has a remarkably consistent elemental composition: about 75% hydrogen, 24% helium, and 1% heavier elements. Stars, for all their element-producing abilities, cannot have created these abundances. This points to another cosmic oven, in the universe’s hotter past.

Keywords

sciencephysicsastronomycosmologybig bangspacenucleosynthesiselements
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cosmic Revolutionary's Handbook
(Or: How to Beat the Big Bang)
 , pp. 146 - 173
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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