University of Michigan astronomers, led by Ian Roederer, have discovered the ‘gold standard’ star, also known as HD 922925. It has the widest range of elements in a star beyond our solar system yet with forty-two of them being heavy elements listed along the bottom of the periodic table of elements. By identifying these elements in a single star, astronomers can better understand “rapid neutron capture process,” or one of the major ways by which heavy elements in the universe were created.
This process, called “r-process,” starts with the presence of lighter elements such as iron before second—neutrons are added to the nuclei of the lighter elements. This creates heavier elements such as selenium, silver, tellurium, platinum, gold and thorium, the elements present in HD 222925, and all of which are not typically detected in stars. The elements identified in HD 222925 were created in either a massive supernovae or during the merging of neutron stars very early in the universe, where the material was ejected, thrown back into space, and then reformed into a star. Back here on Earth, scientists are turning water into gold.
Sale
Celestron – 70mm Travel Scope – Portable Refractor Telescope – Fully-Coated Glass Optics – Ideal Telescope for Beginners – BONUS Astronomy Software Package
- Superior optics: The Celestron 70mm Travel Scope features high-quality, fully-coated glass optics, a potent 70mm objective lens, a lightweight frame, and a custom backpack to carry it all. Its quality is unmatched in its class and against competitors.
- Powerful eyepieces for up-close viewing: Our telescope for astronomy beginners is equipped with two high-quality eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) that provide low- and high-power views of celestial objects at night and terrestrial objects during the day.
- Large 70mm objective lens: Our refractor telescope is equipped with a large 70mm aperture objective lens that provides enhanced, brighter views compared to the 50mm model while adding very little additional weight. Setting up and using the Travel Scope is quick and easy.
- Bonus bag, tripod, and software: This Celestron telescope and full-height tripod can be taken anywhere in the included travel backpack. Accessories also include a FREE download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs.
- Unbeatable warranty and customer support: Buy with confidence from the telescope brand, based in California since 1960. You’ll also receive a 2-year warranty and unlimited access to technical support from our team of US-based experts.
To the best of my knowledge, that’s a record for any object beyond our solar system. And what makes this star so unique is that it has a very high relative proportion of the elements listed along the bottom two-thirds of the periodic table. We even detected gold. These elements were made by the rapid neutron capture process. That’s really the thing we’re trying to study: the physics in understanding how, where and when those elements were made,” said Ian Roederer, astronomer at the University of Michigan.
