What is the specific term astronomers use for the abundance of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium?
Answer
Metallicity
In astronomical terminology, the term 'metallicity' is used specifically to quantify the abundance of all elements present in a cosmic structure that are heavier than the two lightest elements, hydrogen and helium. The injection of these heavier elements back into the galactic environment via material recycling effectively increases the metallicity of the clouds available for subsequent star formation. This gradual enrichment means that newer stellar populations are built from material that has already participated in at least one stellar lifecycle, contributing to the availability of elements necessary for rocky planets.
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