The origin of chemical elements and their abundances across the cosmos remain one of the central questions in physics. The formation of elements heavier than iron is traditionally attributed to three ...

Although the periodic table is filled with elements, nuclear fusion at the center of stars can only produce elements with atomic masses lower than iron—after than, neutron captures processes known as ...

All around us are elements forged in stars, from the nickel and copper in coins to the gold and silver in jewelry. Scientists have a good understanding of how these elements form: In many cases, a ...