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Astrophysics/Regarding Iron

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Expert: - 12/2/2008


Question
Hi,

I read that Iron is an extra-terrestial element. Is that true? Are there other elements in earth which are extra-terrestial?

Regards


Answer
A very few of the lightest elements were created during the big bang, but all of the heavier ones were generated by nuclear reactions in stars.  Therefore, all elements are extra-terrestrial in origin, and ended up here largely when the Earth formed out of a cloud of matter along with the Solar system.  A little bit has come in since in the form of space dust and meteors (negligible amounts).  But if you're asking if iron was created on another planet than Earth?  No, absolutely not, it's like all the rest..

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Steve Nelson

Expertise

Fusion, solar flares, cosmic rays, radiation in space, and stellar physics questions. Generally, nuclear-related astrophysics, but I can usually point you in the right direction if it's not nuclear-related or if it's nuclear but not astrophysics.

Experience

Currently a physics professor at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Doctoral dissertation was on a reaction in CNO-cycle fusion, worked in gamma-ray astronomy in the space science division of the naval research laboratory in the high-energy space environment branch.

Organizations
Physics professor at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in physics, research was on nuclear fusion reactions important in stellar fusion.

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