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How does the universe recyle matter through stars and the interstellar medium?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
It is mainly in supernova explosions that part of the matter of the star - NOT all of it - goes back into space; as a result, some of it eventually ends up in new solar systems, such as our Solar System.
The result of this is that our Solar System has some heavy elements, which were not present when the Universe began.
Please note that this "recycling" can't go on forever. Part of the mass stays in the star remainders; a supernova may collapse into a neutron star or a black hole. Also, the matter that goes out into space has more heavy elements than the original mass of the star that went supernova. In other words, it contains less hydrogen, which is used as fuel for stars.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
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The dimming of starlight as it passes through the interstellar medium is called?
extinction
How can you see through the interstellar medium?
by observing in high-energy wavelengths such as X rays and long wavelengths of light such as radio waves
The interstellar medium is enriched with heavy elements by the remnants of what?
The interstellar medium is enriched with heavy elements by the remnants of supernovas. A supernova is the spectacular explosion at the end of a stars life when it collapses in on itself.
Which of these is not a consequence of dust in the interstellar medium?
red light from the emission nebula
What is interstellar matter made of?
The interstellar medium is an extremely sparse (tenuous) mix of gas and dust, some of the gas being ionized, some atomic, and some molecular. By composition the gas is largely hydrogen, with smaller amounts of helium and very small amounts of heavier elements. There are also cosmic rays which are protons and nuclei which have been accelerated to near-relativistic speeds. In cooler, high-density areas, the interstellar medium can become as dense as one ten-billionth that of air.
What has the author Brian M Cancellieri written?
Brian M. Cancellieri has written: 'Interstellar medium' -- subject(s): Interstellar matter
The dimming of starlight as it passes through the interstellar medium is called?
extinction
Which part of the interstellar matter produces reddening?
Visible light against electrons combined with ionized hydrogen create the "reddening" effect in the Interstellar Medium.
What has the author Ginevra Trinchieri written?
Ginevra Trinchieri has written: 'The environmental impact of intra-cluster medium on the interstellar medium in early type galaxies' -- subject(s): X ray astronomy, Galaxies, Interstellar matter
What has the author W B Burton written?
W. B. Burton has written: 'The galactic interstellar medium' -- subject(s): Astrophysics, Interstellar matter, Molecular clouds
The three common states of matter are?
Although solid, gas and liquid are the most common states of matter on Earth, much of the baryonic matter of universe is in the form of hot Plasma, both as rarefied interstellar medium and as dense stars.
What is a galaxy in astrophysics?
A galaxy is a vast number of stars together with the interstellar medium and dark matter bound together by gravity.
What is the beginning of a star?
Gravity plays an important role in the birth of a star. It concentrates matter in the interstellar medium to the point where fusion occurs.
What force is the beginning of a star?
Gravity plays an important role in the birth of a star. It concentrates matter in the interstellar medium to the point where fusion occurs.
What percentage of matter in the universe isn't plasma?
Of the visible, baryonic matter in the universe, about 0.1% is not plasma, according to some hurried estimates. This includes the large gas giants, such as Saturn and Jupiter. Most all of the Sun's hydrogen and helium is ionized, and most of the interstellar medium as well.However, ordinary matter, the stuff plasma is made up of, only constitutes about 5% of the total mass-energy of the universe. Some 27% is dark matter, and it is not known whether dark matter can form plasma of any kind. It's safe to say that less than 5% of the total mass-energy of the universe comes as baryonic plasma.
What is the most abundant element in the interstellar medium?
Hydrogen
Matter through which a waves travels?
"A compressible medium." "A displaceable medium."
