A study of Earth’s crust hints that supernovas aren’t gold mines
The stellar explosions can’t be the main source for heavy elements, new data suggest
![image of the Crab Nebula](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/051321_EC_heavy-metal_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
Supernovas like the one that formed the Crab Nebula (pictured) have long been thought to forge heavy elements. But a new study suggests that the bulk of those elements must come from other sources.
J. Hester and A. Loll/ASU, NASA, ESA