A NASA feature explains the stellar and primordial origins of elements found in the human body and the natural world.
Key facts
- •Hydrogen in the human body originated from the Big Bang.
- •Carbon and oxygen are products of nuclear fusion inside stars.
- •Supernova explosions are the source of much of the iron in the human body.
- •Gold is likely formed during collisions of neutron stars.
- •The origins of elements like copper are still being studied by scientists.
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for September 14, 2026, details the nuclear origins of various chemical elements. The feature highlights how elements essential to life, such as hydrogen, carbon, and iron, were created through different cosmic processes ranging from the Big Bang to stellar explosions.
Origins of Essential Elements
Hydrogen, the most basic element in the human body and water, originated from the Big Bang, which remains the only significant source of the element in the universe. Carbon and oxygen were produced through nuclear fusion within the interiors of stars. Meanwhile, much of the iron found in human bodies was created during ancient supernova explosions.
Heavy Metals and Ongoing Research
Gold, often found in jewelry, is believed to have been created during collisions between neutron stars, events that may manifest as gamma-ray bursts or gravitational waves. While elements like phosphorus and copper are vital for life, their specific sites of nuclear creation remain subjects of active observational and computational research.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NASA Breaking News.
