We Are Star Stuff

Humans are fundamentally made of materials originating from the universe. The primary component of our mass is oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium. When considering the number of atoms, hydrogen constitutes about 63% of our makeup, which originates directly from the Big Bang. This raw, unprocessed hydrogen formed the core of our existence, while additional elements like oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and others were synthesized in stars. Heavy elements crucial for life, such as carbon and nitrogen, are produced through processes in low-mass stars and in massive star explosions, demonstrating that the building blocks of life are deeply connected to the life cycles of stars. Thus, both the Big Bang and stellar processes collaboratively contribute to the elemental foundation of human beings.