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arcana imperii :: the book of j

24.1.05

you are stellar indeed

while most of the planet's inhabitants seem to choose myths they consider to be literally true to explain their origins, mine has almost always been to attempt a more intellectual and scientific approach. it has taken me upwards, to the heavens indeed, but yielded infinitely more accurate, realistic, true, mysterious, fascinating, rewarding, almost incredible discoveries. here's one:

«life begins with the process of star formation. we are made of stardust. every atom of every element in your body except for hydrogen has been manufactured inside stars, scattered across the universe in great stellar explosions, and recycled to become part of you. the hydrogen is primordial material, produced in the big bang, along with helium (there is no helium in your body). hydrogen and helium together formed the raw material for the first generation of stars, some 12 billion years ago, but everything else has been built up by nuclear fusion in stellar furnaces.»

exract, introduction, stardust: the cosmic recycling of stars, planets and people by john gribbin. via the ever splendid and brilliant babski. have a look at this entry as well.