Number of chemical elements in the universe
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Number of Chemical Elements in the Universe: Periodic Table and Theoretical Limits
The universe is made up of a variety of chemical elements, but the exact number depends on how we define and detect them. As of now, 118 chemical elements are officially recognized and included in the periodic table, with atomic numbers ranging from 1 (hydrogen) to 118 (oganesson) . These elements have been identified on Earth and, in some cases, in astronomical environments 12.
Naturally Occurring Elements in the Universe
Of the 118 known elements, 91 are found naturally on Earth. Some elements, such as technetium and promethium, are not found naturally on Earth but have been detected in stars 27. The heaviest naturally occurring element is uranium (atomic number 92), but traces of heavier elements like plutonium-244 have also been found in nature . All other elements beyond uranium (the transuranic elements) have been created artificially in laboratories .
Formation and Abundance of Elements in the Universe
Hydrogen and helium are by far the most abundant elements in the universe, making up about 98% of all atomic matter by mass 2458. Heavier elements, often called "metals" in astronomy, make up only about 2% of the universe's mass 45. These heavier elements are formed through nuclear fusion in stars, supernova explosions, and neutron star collisions 14. The process of element formation is ongoing, but the vast majority of elements heavier than helium are rare compared to hydrogen and helium .
Theoretical Maximum Number of Elements
Theoretical physics suggests there is a limit to how many chemical elements can exist. According to quantum electrodynamics and the Bohr atomic model, the maximum possible atomic number (Z) is 137. Beyond this, the innermost electron would have to move faster than the speed of light, which is not possible according to the laws of physics 36. This means that, in theory, the universe could contain up to 137 chemical elements, but only 118 have been confirmed so far 136.
Elements Detected in Space
Astronomical observations have detected molecules in space that are made from a subset of the periodic table. As of 2021, 241 different molecular species composed of 19 different elements have been detected in the interstellar and circumstellar medium . This shows that, while many elements exist, only a smaller number are commonly found in space in detectable quantities 910.
Conclusion
In summary, there are currently 118 known chemical elements, with 91 occurring naturally on Earth and a few more detected in stars. Theoretical models suggest the universe could support up to 137 elements, but only 118 have been observed or synthesized. Most of the universe's mass is hydrogen and helium, with heavier elements being much rarer. In space, only about 19 elements have been detected in molecular form, reflecting the dominance of lighter elements in the cosmos 1234610.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic