In the cosmos, which objects are responsible for forging the element iron through stellar nucleosynthesis?
Answer
Massive stars
While planetary bodies like Mercury concentrate existing iron, the element itself is primarily manufactured through cosmic processes within stars. Specifically, iron is created through stellar nucleosynthesis, which occurs mainly in the cores of massive stars. These stars fuse lighter elements sequentially until they reach iron; further fusion consumes energy rather than releasing it. Once the iron core forms, the star collapses, resulting in a supernova explosion. This catastrophic event then releases the massive reservoir of newly forged iron into the interstellar medium, from which future stars and planets will form.
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