cosmic abundance of elements

In the universe as a whole, hydrogen is by far the commonest element followed by helium and more distantly by heavier elements such as oxygen and carbon. Locally, the proportion of heavy elements varies from one star system to another and is an influential factor in the formation of planets.

Number of atoms per 10,000,000 of hydrogen
hydrogen	10,000,000	sulfur	95
helium	1,400,000	iron	80
oxygen	6,800	argon	42
carbon	3,000	aluminum	19
neon	2,800	sodium	17
nitrogen	910	calcium	17
magnesium	290	all other elements	50
silicon	250

Related entries

• elements, biological abundance
• elements, terrestrial abundance

Related category

• COSMOLOGY

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