Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe (L.: Ferrum) and atomic number 26. Iron is a group 8 and period 4 metal. Iron is notable for being the final element produced by stellar nucleosynthesis, and thus the heaviest element which does not require a supernova or similarly cataclysmic event for its formation. It is therefore the most abundant heavy metal in the universe.

Notable characteristics

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Iron is the most abundant metal on Earth, and is believed to be the tenth most abundant element in the universe. Iron is also the second most abundant element by mass, making up 34% of the mass of the Earth; the concentration of iron in the various layers of the Earth ranges from high at the inner core to about 5% in the outer crust. It is possible the Earth's inner core consists of a single iron crystal, although it is more likely to be a mixture of iron and nickel. The large amount of iron in the Earth is thought to create its magnetic field.

Iron is a metal extracted from iron ore, and is almost never found in the free elemental state. In order to obtain elemental iron, the impurities must be removed by chemical reduction. Iron is used in the production of steel, an alloy or solid solution of different metals, and some non-metals, particularly carbon.

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NYT > Home & Garden

Powering Up
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:26:10 -0000
The 3,800-acre Three Rivers Recreation Area in Oregon is home to more than 500 off-the-grid vacation homes.
Boom Times for Job Site Thieves
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:27:49 -0000
Larceny at residential construction sites across the country has increased significantly in the last two years because of soaring prices of building materials.
Design Notebook: A Superjumbo Jigsaw Puzzle
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:35:12 -0000
Marc Newson, an industrial designer, was commissioned to design the cabin of the Airbus A380 double-deck superjumbo jet for the Australian airline Qantas.
In the Garden: A Backyard Bargain in the Bronx
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:43:10 -0000
Using skills in economics and international diplomacy, Sam Oglesby created a backyard haven in the South Bronx.
Shopping for Vanities With Joey Arias
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:22:55 -0000
Joey Arias, the 49-year-old star of the production, “Arias With a Twist,” knows about vanity and vanities: he has nine mirrors in his 14-by-6-foot bathroom.
The Fix: Carbon Footprint: Saving at Home
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:37:40 -0000
Reducing your home’s carbon footprint can be worth it, for the environment and the pocketbook.

L.A. Times - Home & Garden

John Nyquist carves a reputation for midcentury classics
Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The influence, and value, of the woodworker's enduring midcentury pieces continue to grow. SHIRLEY NYQUIST, the vivacious record-keeper of her husband's furniture-making business, pulls out a typewritten list from 1960 showing a walnut armchair with sculpted back and upholstered seat priced at $125. And today? That same chair would be $4,500.
Botanist floor samples sale at Orange22
Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Also last chance: Environment Furniture at 20% to 70% off. THE SALES keep coming, so we keep sharing. Here you'll find the latest home furnishings discounts on the Web and in Southern California stores. Look for the online version of this report with additional listings and convenient hyperlinks: latimes.com/home .
'Sense of community' in Irvine
Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The neighborhood places high value on scholastic achievement and abundant public parks. SET BETWEEN Interstate 5 and the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, the village of Northwood in Irvine is one area of the master-planned city that is not quite so meticulously assembled.
Hot Property: Kelsey Grammer puts up Holmby Hills estate for a quick flip
Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Meet Kelsey the flipper.
Real estate agents caravan is all about the food
Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Amid a slow housing market, Realtors are offering omelet bars, homemade cookies and other delectables to lure agents to their listings. APPARENTLY, the way to a real estate agent's heart is through his or her stomach.
Fall, when schedules take over your life
Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
It's time for back-to-school nights, soccer and helping the pumpkins along. LIFE IS IFE IS a luggage carousel. Love is a modest black suitcase with no markings, 'round and 'round and 'round. . . .

Christian Science Monitor | The Home Forum

High hopes for slam-dunk success in China
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:00 -0500
On the basketball court, a little girl saved the day for her American friend.
Head lost in the clouds of computing
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:00 -0500
A sigh of relief that Dell was not allowed to trademark a generic phrase.
God's law of abundance
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:00 -0500
A Christian Science perspective on daily life.
Prayer for elections
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:00:00 -0500
A Christian Science perspective on daily life.
Sneaky tactics in the food wars
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:00:00 -0500
Dad knew that if he could get my sister to try a new dish, I'd clamor for some, too.
Off to college – the great unknown?
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:00:00 -0500
A Christian Science perspective on daily life.

Denver Post: Lifestyle

Ask Amy
editor@denverpost.com (By Amy Dickinson / Tribune Media Services) Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:39:51 -0600
by Amy Dickinson
Time for politics — and art
editor@denverpost.com (Joanne Ostrow / Denver Post TV Critic) Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:07:06 -0600
Celebrity is a mixed bag at political conventions. Actors, journalists, athletes, politicians — they're all equal stars at this kind of event.
Together, we watched Obama
editor@denverpost.com (The Denver Post) Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:03:49 -0600
It felt like a real party in Denver's historically black neighborhood, where around 350 people gathered to watch Barack Obama accept the nomination.

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