[Seminar:] Made of stars: The origin of heavy elements from neutron star mergers or massive stars

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• Andrew Levan, Radboud University Nijmegen
• Wednesday 15 March 2023, 14:00-15:00
• Physics West 117.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Nathan Steinle.

The detection of gravitational waves and electromagnetic light from the binary neutron star merger, GW170817 , offers a new window into previously inaccessible questions. In this colloquia, I will focus on one of these; what the origin of the so-called r-process elements that make up half the elements heavier than iron? These include elements of high value (e.g. gold) and even some necessary for advanced life on Earth (e.g. iodine). I will highlight how the physical conditions created in neutron-rich material ejected through compact object mergers provide the ideal location for the synthesis of these elements, while the energy released in their decay powers an electromagnetic signature that may be straightforward to detect. An open question remains if mergers produce some, most or all of the heavy elements. I will discuss recent results showing that mergers can arise in somewhat unexpected places, as well as the possibility that some heavy elements form, not in mergers, but in supernovae.

This talk is part of the Astrophysics Talks Series series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• Astrophysics Talks Series
• Bham Talks
• Physics West 117
• What's on in Physics?

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