Pathless Land

sagansense: Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains The Origins Of Atomic...

Sat, 25 May 2013 05:31:39 -0700

Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains The Origins Of Atomic Elements In Our Bodies

What’s the human body made of? Ninety-nine percent consists of atoms of just six elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus, with the remaining one percent consisting of trace elements like magnesium, sulfur, and iron.

But where did those elements come from? That question long presented a puzzle to scientists. At least it did until the publication of a now-obscure scientific paper in the middle of the twentieth century, as celebrated astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson explains in a new video (above).

“There was a seminal paper — one of the most important research papers ever published — that gave us the description of the origin of the elements,” Tyson says in the video.

The paper is entitled “Synthesis of the Elements in Stars” but is sometimes referred to as the B2FH paper, after the authors’ initials. It was published in Reviews of Modern Physics in 1957. Before its publication, the prevailing theory held that all elements were products of the Big Bang 15 billion years ago. But this theory accounted only for light elements like hydrogen and helium.

So where did the heavy elements found in nature come from?

The B2FH paper argued that all heavy elements were created within stars via nuclear fusion — a process known as stellar nucleosynthesis. As stars cool and “die,” they release the heavy elements into space. Ultimately, some of this material is incorporated into planets and even our bodies.

If the paper was so important, why do so few nonscientists know about it? According to Tyson, it’s because the paper’s origins don’t fit conventional notions of scientific discovery.

“There was no lone scientist burning the midnight oil making the eureka discovery,” Tyson says. “It was a little messier than that. But the consequences of it are profound.”

Stay Curious! Watch The Extended Interview With NDT

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the..."

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:05:00 -0700

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”

- Booker T. Washington

david: “Spaceflight finale: To some this may look like a...

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:02:09 -0700

david:

“Spaceflight finale: To some this may look like a sunset. But it’s a new dawn.” – Col. Chris Hadfield

This is brilliant. Hilarious and brilliant.

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:54:15 -0700

This is brilliant. Hilarious and brilliant.

kateoplis: today

Mon, 13 May 2013 20:09:04 -0700

kateoplis:

today

futurejournalismproject: Exploring Space The BBC has created a...

Sun, 12 May 2013 16:27:02 -0700

futurejournalismproject:

Exploring Space

The BBC has created a monster infographic illustrating “every attempt to leave Earth’s orbit and reach a destination in extraterrestrial space – be it with probes, orbiters, rovers, or of course manned missions.”

The graphic shows successful and failed missions, country of launch origin and type of mission (eg., fly-by, rover, actual landing).

Related: How Big is Space?

Image: Screenshot, detail from Spacial Awareness: Ultimate guide to exploring space, via the BBC. Select to embiggen.

The Unexpected Antidote to Procrastination

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:18:10 -0700

The Unexpected Antidote to Procrastination:

Stop avoiding tough tasks and start cultivating your resilience.

Postcards from Italy by Beirut

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:14:00 -0700

Postcards from Italy by Beirut

No one in Toronto is sitting.

Wed, 08 May 2013 19:11:33 -0700

smarterplanet: Nicholas Carr on What the Internet is Doing to...

Tue, 07 May 2013 22:12:52 -0700

smarterplanet:

Nicholas Carr on What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains

This is important.

Of the many ways the trade for R.A. Dickey bother me, Matt Harvey not wearing a Jays uniform is at the top. Another nearly perfect outting from the kid.

Tue, 07 May 2013 20:28:13 -0700

Of the many ways the trade for R.A. Dickey bother me, Matt Harvey not wearing a Jays uniform is at the top. Another nearly perfect outting from the kid.:

Right-hander allows just one hit through nine innings, before New York wins game in 10th

There’s a theory that human intelligence stems from a single algorithm.

Tue, 07 May 2013 17:55:33 -0700

There’s a theory that human intelligence stems from a single algorithm.

shortformblog: Matt Groening’s mom recently passed, though she...

Mon, 06 May 2013 20:07:41 -0700

shortformblog:

Matt Groening’s mom recently passed, though she fortunately lived a full life. But check out the obit. Any names you recognize here? Hint: Marge is short for Margaret. (ht @pourmecoffee)

EDIT: Here’s a story on the obit from The Oregonian.

There will be statues of this man.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:05:51 -0700

There will be statues of this man.

IBM Fellowâs mission: âPush the frontiers of science and...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:10:13 -0700

IBM Fellowâs mission: âPush the frontiers of science and...

colchrishadfield: Huge congratulations to the Maple Leafs for...

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:56:24 -0700

colchrishadfield:

Huge congratulations to the Maple Leafs for making it into the NHL Playoffs! Looking forward to watching from orbit.

Mohandas Gandhi: Professor Muhammad Yunus Receives Congressional Gold Medal

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:31:39 -0700

Mohandas Gandhi: Professor Muhammad Yunus Receives Congressional Gold Medal:

statedept:

About the Author: Robert Blake serves as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs.

Last week, I had the honor of attending the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for Professor Muhammad Yunus. Eight Members of Congress representing the…

Parliament rejects NDP motion to stop FIPA

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:22:39 -0700

Parliament rejects NDP motion to stop FIPA:

fycanadianpolitics:

The Canadian House of Commons voted 170-88 Monday against an NDP motion to stop the Canada-China FIPA. […]

Opponents of the FIPA treaty say it favours China’s interests, while leaving Canada’s natural resources vulnerable to being controlled by foreign interests. The FIPA treaty would allow Chinese companies to sue local governments for implementing environmental regulations that harm the profits of foreign investors on projects such as the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline. […]

“The only hope we have now is with the Hupacasath First Nation,” said May, referring to an ongoing court case, in which the Hupacasath are challenging FIPA. Their case is that FIPA infringes on traditional aboriginal rights to resources without adequate consultation.

As the treaty has already been signed, Stephen Harper’s government has the option to ratify the agreement anytime they like, although they have had this option for five months and still have not done so. They have been holding out on signing it due of fierce public opposition last year. Defeating Davies’ motion may give them the confidence they need to move forward with FIPA.

Liberals side with Tories on FIPA

The Liberals, who sided with the Conservatives on the motion, do not support FIPA as it stands. They are in favour of having a FIPA, and they would prefer to work with the existing agreement rather than scrapping it and starting over […]

A conversation between Sal Khan and Elon Musk.

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 22:38:14 -0700

A conversation between Sal Khan and Elon Musk.

As the world revolves the sun I hope the light that I become can...

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:08:00 -0700

As the world revolves the sun
I hope the light that I become can
Sleep for once

Pathless Land

sagansense: Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains The Origins Of Atomic...

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the..."

Booker T. Washington

david: “Spaceflight finale: To some this may look like a...

This is brilliant. Hilarious and brilliant.

kateoplis: today

futurejournalismproject: Exploring Space The BBC has created a...

The Unexpected Antidote to Procrastination

Postcards from Italy by Beirut

No one in Toronto is sitting.

smarterplanet: Nicholas Carr on What the Internet is Doing to...

Of the many ways the trade for R.A. Dickey bother me, Matt Harvey not wearing a Jays uniform is at the top. Another nearly perfect outting from the kid.

There’s a theory that human intelligence stems from a single algorithm.

shortformblog: Matt Groening’s mom recently passed, though she...

There will be statues of this man.

IBM Fellowâs mission: âPush the frontiers of science and...

colchrishadfield: Huge congratulations to the Maple Leafs for...

Mohandas Gandhi: Professor Muhammad Yunus Receives Congressional Gold Medal

Parliament rejects NDP motion to stop FIPA

A conversation between Sal Khan and Elon Musk.

As the world revolves the sun I hope the light that I become can...

IBM Fellowâs mission: âPush the frontiers of science and...