Which elements dominate the material ejected by progenitor stars classified as Low-to-Intermediate Mass?
Answer
Primarily C, N, O
The elemental signature left behind by a star upon death is highly dependent on its initial mass. For lower-to-intermediate mass stars, such as those similar to our Sun, the material dispersed during the Planetary Nebula phase is characterized by the primary elements produced during core burning phases and mixing events. These dominant ejected elements include Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), and Oxygen (O). In contrast, much more massive stars ending their lives via supernova explosions scatter a far wider range of heavier elements, including those up to iron and beyond.
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