The Origin of the Heaviest Elements featuring Ian Roederer (North Carolina State University)

Hosted by: Avrajit Bandyopadhyay

Abstract: Understanding the origin of the elements remains one of the major challenges of modern astrophysics. I will introduce some of the big, open questions in the field and present several major advances from recent years. These advances include measuring the most complete heavy element chemical inventory beyond the Solar System and the first detection of transuranic fission fragments in stars. These advances can help shape the experiments carried out by future space flagship missions in the 2030s and 2040s, rare isotope facilities, and shape our understanding of our own cosmic origins.