elements · 4 / 118 · All 118

Z 

4

Mass 

9.012

Lifeforce 

Fire

Light, hard — and transparent to X-rays the way glass is transparent to light. Which is why beryllium sits as the window in every great space telescope, the James Webb included. The same metal, toxic as dust, gazes sublimely into space.

Beryllium. Element four. Light, hard, transparent to X-rays. The window of every great space telescope — including James Webb. Toxic in dust form, sublime in instruments.

Lab note · Atomic number 4; light, hard, transparent to X-rays.