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    “Metal” abundance during time 
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    “Metals” are elements heavier than He 
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    A given star’s atmospheric abundance is approx. fixed
    at birth 
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    Interstellar metal abundance grows with each new
    generation of stars 
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    Red giants and supernova eject new heavy elements into
    interstellar gas 
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    Orbits during time 
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    A given star’s orbit is approx. fixed at birth – just
    plows through gas 
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    Orbits of gas clouds evolve with time since they can collide 
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    Orbits get more circular and disk-like with time 
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