Short Wave The Curious Stardust At The Ocean Floor
May 26, 2021
Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR's insightful science correspondent, dives into groundbreaking research on Earth's plutonium origins. She details how traces of plutonium found in Pacific Ocean sediments hint at extraterrestrial origins, linking it to supernova explosions. The discussion covers cosmic cataclysms and their role in forging heavy elements like plutonium and iron, suggesting an exciting influx of stardust on Earth. Greenfieldboyce also addresses skepticism about cosmic connections, leaving listeners pondering the vast mysteries of the universe.
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Stardust Origins
- Elements like nitrogen, calcium, and iron, found in our bodies, are forged inside stars.
- Carl Sagan's famous quote, "We are made of star stuff," is meant literally.
Mysterious Element Origins
- Some heavy elements like gold, platinum, and uranium have mysterious origins.
- Scientists look for short-lived radioactive elements to trace recent supernova explosions.
Radioactive Iron Discovery
- Researchers found radioactive iron-60 in deep-sea rocks, moon samples, and Arctic snow.
- This iron-60 likely arrived around 3 million years ago from a nearby supernova.