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.
Stars explode into supernovae, which can leave behind remnants like neutron stars or black holes. During the explosion, elements heavier than iron are forged through nucleosynthesis and dispersed into space, enriching the interstellar medium with these elements.
Dust particles in the interstellar medium are made up of a variety of elements such as carbon, oxygen, silicon, and iron, similar to the composition of the gas. However, the dust particles can also contain complex molecules and compounds that are not present in the gas phase. Additionally, the physical and chemical properties of the dust particles can vary depending on their size, shape, and location within the interstellar medium.
One consequence of dust in the interstellar medium is causing reddening of starlight due to scattering and absorption.
interstellar extinction. This phenomenon occurs due to the absorption and scattering of light by dust and gas particles present in the interstellar medium, leading to a decrease in the observed brightness of the starlight.
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.
Stars explode into supernovae, which can leave behind remnants like neutron stars or black holes. During the explosion, elements heavier than iron are forged through nucleosynthesis and dispersed into space, enriching the interstellar medium with these elements.
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the interstellar medium, making up about 90% of its mass. Helium is the second most abundant element in the interstellar medium, with trace amounts of heavier elements such as carbon, oxygen, and others.
A galaxy is a massive, gravitationally boundsystem that consists of stars and stellar remnants, an interstellar medium of gas and dust, and an important but poorly understood component tentatively dubbed dark matter.
No all Hydogen and most Helium is from the near beginning. All other elements including more He are formed by stellar processes
Dust particles in the interstellar medium are made up of a variety of elements such as carbon, oxygen, silicon, and iron, similar to the composition of the gas. However, the dust particles can also contain complex molecules and compounds that are not present in the gas phase. Additionally, the physical and chemical properties of the dust particles can vary depending on their size, shape, and location within the interstellar medium.
One consequence of dust in the interstellar medium is causing reddening of starlight due to scattering and absorption.
interstellar extinction. This phenomenon occurs due to the absorption and scattering of light by dust and gas particles present in the interstellar medium, leading to a decrease in the observed brightness of the starlight.
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.
A region left behind after a major star dies is called a supernova remnant. Supernova remnants are expanding shells of gas and dust that result from the explosive death of a massive star in a supernova event. They play a crucial role in enriching the interstellar medium with heavy elements and triggering new star formation.
An enriched medium
Brian M. Cancellieri has written: 'Interstellar medium' -- subject(s): Interstellar matter
Forbidden lines in interstellar space reveal the presence of specific elements, such as oxygen and nitrogen, that emit radiation at certain wavelengths when they are in an excited state. By studying these forbidden lines, astronomers can determine the composition, temperature, and density of interstellar gas clouds, providing insights into the physical conditions and chemical makeup of the interstellar medium.