AI Insight
This educational article explains the cosmic origins of chemical elements found in the human body and throughout nature. Hydrogen originated from the Big Bang, carbon and oxygen were produced through nuclear fusion in stellar interiors, iron was created in supernovae explosions, and heavy elements like gold were formed during neutron star collisions. The article presents a color-coded periodic table indicating the nuclear formation sites of all known elements, though some origins like copper remain uncertain and are active research topics.
Why it matters
This information connects human biology directly to cosmic events spanning billions of years, demonstrating that we are literally made of matter forged in stars and extreme astrophysical phenomena. Understanding elemental origins helps scientists trace the chemical evolution of the universe and informs research in stellar physics, cosmology, and astrobiology.
Understand the Science
APOD
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
Where Your Elements Came From
Explanation: The hydrogen in your body and present in every molecule of water came from the Big Bang. There are no other appreciable sources of hydrogen in the universe. The carbon in your body was made by nuclear fusion in the interior of stars, as was the oxygen. Much of the iron in your body was made during supernovas of stars that occurred long ago and far away. The gold in your jewelry was likely made from neutron stars during collisions that may have been visible as short-duration gamma-ray bursts or gravitational wave events. Elements like phosphorus and copper are present in our bodies in only small amounts but are essential to the functioning of all known life. The featured periodic table is color coded to indicate humanity‘s best guess as to the nuclear origin of all known elements. The sites of nuclear creation of some elements, such as copper, are not really well known and are continuing topics of observational and computational research.
APOD’s main NASA site is moving: From apod.nasa.gov to science.nasa.gov/apod
Tomorrow’s picture: Sun triple
| Date: | September 14, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Credit: | NASA GSFC‘s SVS |
| Authors & editors: | Robert Nemiroff, Jerry Bonnell, Cecilia Chirenti, Keighley Rockcliffe |
| A service of: |
ASD at NASA / GSFC, NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U. |
Source: APOD: 2026 September 14 – Where Your Elements Came From