An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

In the → Goldschmidt classification, any → chemical element that has an → affinity
to combine with → iron rather than some other element. These elements are concentrated in the → Earth’s core. The group includes → iron (Fe), → nickle (Ni), → cobalt (Co), → platinum (Pt), → gold (Au), → tin (Zn), and → tantalum (Ta). The siderophile elements include → highly siderophile element (HSE).

See also: → siderophile; → element.