<p>It's well known that Astronomers use the term "metal" to describe any element heavier than Helium but could anyone tell me why? What is the history of this particularly strange bit of language? </p>

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2020-01-28T15:02:16.390Z
See https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/221873/why-do-astronomers-call-all-elements-heavier-than-helium-metals
usernumber
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2020-01-28T15:33:15.380Z
Also, it is not that uncommon for words to be used in different ways by different fields of study.
usernumber
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-28T16:01:00.727Z
I think it may also be due to the fact that the first spectral lines associated with chemical elements were those of sodium and some of the other alkali metals.  I haven't found a source that describes this in detail, though.
antlersoft
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2020-01-28T16:44:18.000Z
Your characterisation of my answer on Physics SE is quite incorrect. Quote marks should be reserved for things that were actually said, rather than things you think were said. The cast-iron duplicate on Astronomy SE has more detail.
ProfRob
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2020-01-28T21:11:29.130Z
I apologies if I caused offense Rob, I was merely attempting to paraphrase all of the responses on that question (apparently rather poorly so I'll delete my originally comment now). Thanks for pointing me to the answer here https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/2513/metallicity-of-celestial-objects-why-metal-non-metal (and thanks to @antlersoft for their contribution)
nick-scott
<history><metal>
What is the etymology of the astronomical term metal
nick-scott
# What is the etymology of the astronomical term metal

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-01-28)

It's well known that Astronomers use the term "metal" to describe any element heavier than Helium but could anyone tell me why? What is the history of this particularly strange bit of language?

**Tags:** history, metal

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: See https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/221873/why-do-astronomers-call-all-elements-heavier-than-helium-metals  
> **username_1**: Also, it is not that uncommon for words to be used in different ways by different fields of study.  
> **username_2**: I think it may also be due to the fact that the first spectral lines associated with chemical elements were those of sodium and some of the other alkali metals.  I haven't found a source that describes this in detail, though.  
> **username_3**: Your characterisation of my answer on Physics SE is quite incorrect. Quote marks should be reserved for things that were actually said, rather than things you think were said. The cast-iron duplicate on Astronomy SE has more detail.  
> **username_0**: I apologies if I caused offense Rob, I was merely attempting to paraphrase all of the responses on that question (apparently rather poorly so I'll delete my originally comment now). Thanks for pointing me to the answer here https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/2513/metallicity-of-celestial-objects-why-metal-non-metal (and thanks to @username_2 for their contribution)  

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