☀️ The Sun contains 55% more silver than previously thought
Astronomers have updated their estimate of the Sun's silver content, finding it to be 55% higher than previously thought. This adjustment, made using advanced 3D dynamic modeling, helps align solar composition data with that of primitive meteorites.
Why it matters
Refining the chemical composition of the Sun provides critical data for understanding the formation of the solar system and the chemical evolution of the Milky Way galaxy.
The Sun would contain 55% more silver than previous estimates indicated. This reassessment does not mean that our star contains large amounts of precious metal. Silver remains extremely minor, but its measurement helps trace the chemical history of the Milky Way.
Like other stars, the Sun is composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium. Heavier elements make up about 1.5% of its mass. Despite their low abundance, they serve as markers for understanding the formation of stars, planets and gas clouds.
To measure solar silver, astronomers analyze the light produced by the Sun. Atoms present in its atmosphere absorb certain wavelengths. These spectral lines form a characteristic fingerprint, which allows estimating the amount of each element.
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