Pasadena, CA— A team of astronomers led by University of Michigan’s Ian Roederer and including Carnegie’s Erika Holmbeck have identified the widest range of elements yet observed in a star beyond our own Sun. Their findings are published in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series.
The researchers identified 65 elements in the star, which is called HD 222925. Of these, 42 are from the bottom of the periodic table. Their identification will help astronomers understand one of the main methods by which the universe’s heavy elements were created—rapid neutron capture process.
"To the best of my knowledge, that's a record for any object