Numbers in the News: Helium

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is famous for its massive balloons filled with helium (He) gas. Check out some facts and figures about this element.

The estimated amount of helium used to fill all the balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The atomic number—or number of protons in an atom—of helium. It’s the second-lightest element on the periodic table, after hydrogen (H).

The percentage of Earth’s atmosphere that is made up of helium. The helium we use is mined from Earth’s crust.

The percentage of the observable universe that is made up of helium.

The year scientists discovered helium by studying the makeup of the sun. The new element was named after Helios, the Greek god of the sun.

^{SOURCES: STATISTA, OXFORD ECONOMICS, YOUTUBE, GWI MARKET RESEARCH}