The star R Coronae Borealis varies irregularly due to emission of clouds of this element.
The star R Coronae Borealis varies irregularly due to emission of clouds of this element. The atmosphere of CW Leonis is dominated by this element. In addition to transition metal oxides and lithium, compounds containing this element are characteristic of spectra of brown dwarfs. The immediate cause of type Ia supernovae is the "detonation" named for it, which occurs when core temperatures become high enough to fuse it. Hoyle predicted the existence of a resonance nuclear state of one isotope of this element that is formed by the (*) triple-alpha process. Oxygen, nitrogen, and this element are used catalytically in a namesake cycle that is the major alternative to the proton-proton chain. For 10 points, name this element which is the basis of all known forms of life.
The star R Coronae Borealis varies irregularly due to emission of clouds of this element.
carbon [or C; accept isotopes like (number)C or carbon-(number), where (number) is from 8 to 23 inclusive]