The image shows iron which will become relevant as we proceed.
When van Rijn discusses supermetals, the omniscient narrator intervenes to inform or remind readers of stellar processes. This narrator directly addresses us from p. 388 until near the end of p. 391 when the conversation between van Rijn and Coya resumes.
We are told that:
hydrogen-1, a single proton orbited by a single electron, is the primordial element;
most matter is still hydrogen-1;
masses of this element condensed into stars;
stellar thermonuclear processes melted atoms into higher elements;
red giants and exploding stars spread the higher elements through space;
these elements entered a later generation of stars;
"Thus came planets, life and awareness." (p. 388)
The ensuing paragraphs are about radioactive isotopes but let us pause with the higher elements, including iron which falls as meteorites.
I have just read:
"And We sent down iron..."
-Qur'an 57:25.
An Appendix to this edition of the Qur'an quotes:
"Enhanced levels of iron-60 in deep-sea sediments have been interpreted as indications that a supernova explosion occurred within 90 light-years of the sun about 5 million years ago. 60 is a radioactive isotope of iron, formed in supernova explosions..."
-Frisch, Priscilla, "The Galactic Environment of the Sun," American Scientist, January-February 2000. (See here.)
2 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
It's possible the first experience by humans with iron came from making use of meteorite iron. I remember reading of how iron knives were found in the tomb of King Tutankhamen of Egypt. So, I think men found iron from meteorites striking the Earth.
Next, of course, came the MINING and smelting of iron ore, around 1000 BC.
Ad astra! Sean
I erred above. The mining and smelting of iron ores started before 1000 BC, to as early as 2000 BC. But it took centuries for this technology to be truly mastered and become widely known and used.
Ad astra! Sean
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