4 Interesting Facts about Helium

Helium is among the most fascinating elements in the periodic table, with properties and applications that span from ancient solar discoveries to cutting-edge medical technology.

In this guide, we’ll show you some of the most compelling aspects of helium, from its cosmic abundance to its critical role in modern medical equipment and space exploration.

1. Helium Was Discovered in the Sun Before Earth

Helium is the only element discovered in space before being found on our planet. French astronomer Pierre Janssen first observed its spectral signature during a solar eclipse in 1868, detecting mysterious yellow lines in the sun’s spectrum that didn’t match any known earthly elements.

English astronomer Norman Lockyer confirmed these observations and proposed to name this unknown element “helium” after the Greek word “helios,” which means “sun.” It wasn’t until 1895 that Sir William Ramsay finally isolated helium on Earth by treating the uranium mineral cleveite with mineral acids.

So while most elements were identified through terrestrial mining or chemical processes, helium’s story began 93 million miles away in our solar system’s center.

The sun produces an astounding 600 million tons of helium every second through nuclear fusion processes. This massive production rate demonstrates the incredible energy conversion happening in stellar cores, where hydrogen atoms fuse together under extreme pressure and temperature to create helium and release tremendous amounts of energy.

2. Medical Technology Depends on Helium’s Extreme Cold

Helium’s key industrial application is in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, where it serves as a coolant for superconducting magnets. These devices require temperatures near absolute zero to function properly, and helium is the only practical substance that can achieve and maintain such extreme conditions.

The element has the lowest boiling point of any substance at -268.9°C, just a few degrees above absolute zero. This extraordinary property makes liquid helium crucial for cooling the superconducting electromagnets inside MRI scanners to temperatures where electrical resistance completely disappears.

Without helium, MRI technology couldn’t operate reliably. The superconducting magnets in these machines must maintain their ultra-cold environment at all times, so helium’s stability and cooling capacity are irreplaceable in modern medical diagnostics.

California’s major medical centers consume substantial quantities of helium annually to keep their MRI departments operational. A single MRI machine typically requires 1,500 to 2,000 liters of liquid helium, which is a significant operational expense for healthcare facilities.

3. NASA Uses Helium for Critical Space Mission Operations

Space exploration would face severe limitations without helium’s properties that support rocket launches and satellite operations. NASA uses helium extensively for pressurizing and purging rocket fuel tanks, ensuring that propellant systems function safely during the extreme conditions of space flight.

The agency depends on helium’s inert nature to prevent explosive reactions in fuel systems. Unlike other gases, helium doesn’t react with rocket fuels or oxidizers, which makes it the safest choice for maintaining proper pressure in spacecraft propellant tanks throughout missions.

Helium also plays a crucial role in cooling systems for space-based telescopes and scientific instruments. Its ability to reach extremely low temperatures lets sensitive equipment detect faint signals from distant cosmic objects without interference caused by thermal noise.

Beyond cooling applications, helium serves as a protective atmosphere during the manufacturing and testing of spacecraft components. Its inert properties prevent oxidation and contamination of sensitive materials that must function flawlessly in the harsh environment of space.

4. Helium Is the Universe’s Second Most Abundant Element

Helium makes up approximately 25% of the universe’s normal matter by mass, which makes it the second most abundant element (right after hydrogen). This abundance stems from the Big Bang nucleosynthesis that occurred in the universe’s first few minutes, when conditions were ideal for creating light elements.

Despite its universal abundance, helium is relatively scarce on Earth because of our planet’s gravitational limitations. Most helium escapes to space because it’s too light for Earth’s gravity to retain in large quantities.

The helium we use industrially comes mainly from natural gas deposits, where it accumulates as a byproduct of radioactive decay over millions of years. Alpha particles released during uranium and thorium decay are actually helium nuclei that capture electrons to become helium atoms.

Current global helium supplies face significant challenges due to limited sources and increasing demand from technology sectors. The United States has historically dominated helium production, but geopolitical factors and resource depletion continue to create supply uncertainties that affect industrial users worldwide.

Leverage Helium’s Fascinating Properties

Helium’s journey from solar discovery to industrial necessity shows how fundamental scientific research leads to practical applications that transform entire industries. Its unique properties keep enabling breakthrough technologies in medicine, space exploration, and advanced manufacturing processes that define our modern processes and capabilities.