The Milky Way galaxy began its life with only hydrogen, helium, and a bit of lithium that were created in the Big Bang. Today we have more than 90 naturally made elements on Earth. How have they been created in the galaxy? Dr. Chris Sneden, Rex G. Baker, Jr. and McDonald Observatory Centennial Research Professor of Astronomy, will describe the central roles that UT astronomers and McDonald Observatory have played in discovering the elemental abundances of stars, particularly the oldest ones in the galaxy’s halo, and in using those as vital clues to the chemical evolution of the Milky Way.

Sponsored by the UT Austin McDonald Observatory and Department of Astronomy Board of Visitors.