Physicists Start To Pin Down How Stars Forge Heavy Atoms
1 min read
Summary
Scientists are using experiments at a facility in Michigan to understand how heavy elements form.
While they know how lighter elements, such as hydrogen, are created in the cores of stars, it’s less clear how those that are heavier, such as zinc, are produced.
Experiments have revealed one process, known as the intermediate neutron-capture process, or i-process, which creates elements such as barium and europium.
The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams is now looking at another process that creates platinum and gold.
Understanding these processes can help scientists learn where different elements in the universe arise.
