“The Cosmos Is Within Us” Carl Sagan
We are all made of stardust. We all share the same elements in our bodies that keep us alive and breathing. In fact, we share many of the same elements with everything on Earth and throughout the universe. These include hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.
The Big Bang, which many of us are familiar with because it marks the beginning of the universe as we know it, happened about 13.8 billion years ago. It marked the beginning of the universe’s expansion and the formation of two very important elements: hydrogen and helium. Without these elements, the universe as we know it would be very different. Much of the hydrogen in our bodies dates back to shortly after the Big Bang. This is the first cosmic event that connects us to the universe.
A supernova is another important cosmic event. When certain massive stars reach the end of their lives, they explode and spread elements and stellar material throughout the universe. Then, gravity takes over, gathering this material into clouds of gas and dust called nebulae, or star nurseries. Here, new stars are formed, and the leftover material surrounding them can come together to create planets. This is how our solar system formed, and this process of star and planet formation continues throughout the universe.
We are, and always will be, made up of the universe.
Supernovas help spread elements that are especially important to our bodies and the Earth, including iron and calcium. Iron is found in our blood, where it helps carry oxygen and contributes to the red color of our blood. It is also found in geological formations around the world, including the red rocks here in southern Utah!
Calcium is an essential part of our bones and teeth, helping keep us strong and allowing us to do all our favorite things. Calcium is also found in rocks and minerals throughout the Earth, contributing to the formation of some of the beautiful geological structures we see around us.
I want you to remember all of this, whether you’re on a tour with us here at Bryce Canyon stargazing or looking up at your own night sky. Remember that we share many of the same elements, and we are all connected through the universe. Treat others and our Earth with care, because we are all part of the same cosmic story.
