Space Station Experiment To Probe Origins of Elements
31.08.22 | Cuca Margoux
Astronomer Carl Sagan put it best: “We’re made of star stuff.” The atoms that make up the chemicals of our bodies didn’t originate on Earth; they came from deep space. The big bang created hydrogen, helium, and a little bit of lithium, but heavier atoms – the ones essential for life – came from processes related to stars.
Scientists can now probe deeper. Which kinds of stellar processes produce which elements? And which kinds of stars are involved?
A new experiment called TIGERISS, envisioned for the International Space Station, aims to find out. TIGERISS has been chosen as the latest NASA Astrophysics Pioneers mission.
learn more: nasa.gov