The building blocks of life over 12 billion years

The elements transform the way new stars are born, the way planets are formed, the way stars explode and die, and the way stars assemble into new galaxies. The origin of the elements is a major outstanding problem, driving new international telescopes, including the Giant Magellan Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, and Thirty Metre Telescope. By developing new state-of-the-art theoretical models in conjunction with innovative observations with new Australian 3D technology, this project will trace how the building blocks of life: carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen, formed and assembled from the infant universe to the present day, as well as develop the expertise required to fully exploit the next generation of international telescopes.