Astronomical Discovery: Profound Indications of Universal Nuclear Fission

Recent studies indicate that nuclear fission might contribute to the genesis of heavy elements in the universe. Research on ancient stars has uncovered a link between light and rare earth metals, suggesting the formation of extremely heavy nuclei beyond those currently known. This discovery supports the hypothesis of cosmic fission, revealing potential elements with atomic masses around 260, thereby broadening our cosmic knowledge.

Evidence of nuclear processes in stars, previously unseen, is now observable through fission models.

It’s believed that elements heavier than iron are formed in massive cosmic events like neutron star mergers or certain supernovae types. This new study proposes that fission could also play a role in generating these heavy elements. Analysis of various elements in ancient stars has revealed signs of fission, hinting at the natural creation of superheavy nuclei surpassing the heaviest known periodic table elements.

Matthew Mumpower, a theoretical physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory and co-author of a Science article, mentioned that while cosmic fission was theorized, it had never been conclusively proven until now.

Observations have shown a positive correlation between lighter metals such as silver and rarer elements like europium, supporting this theory.

Neutron star collisions are prime candidates for synthesizing heavier periodic table elements through rapid-neutron-capture. In this process, radioactive nuclei quickly capture released neutrons, leading to the formation of increasingly heavy elements, all within a second. This was visually depicted by Los Alamos National Laboratory (Matthew Mumpower).

Significant Fission Evidence

Mumpower explains that this pattern across various stars points to a consistent heavy element formation process, with fission being the only viable explanation.

“This discovery is remarkably profound, validating our fission theory in the cosmos,” Mumpower stated. “More observations have revealed a distinct signature indicative of fission.”

The study also suggests the possibility of elements with atomic masses of 260, heavier than those at the periodic table’s upper end.

Mumpower developed the fission models guiding the observational analysis, which Ian Roederer of North Carolina State University led.

Intensive Astrophysical Research

Astrophysicists have traditionally believed that heavy elements beyond iron originate from supernovae or neutron star mergers. Neutron stars, as their name implies, are neutron-rich, and these neutrons, along with protons, constitute atomic nuclei. During the rapid-neutron capture process, atomic nuclei absorb neutrons to form heavier elements. Whether these elements undergo fission, splitting into lighter heavy elements and releasing substantial energy, has been a question for decades.

In 2020, Mumpower predicted r-process nuclei fission fragment distributions. Later, collaborator Nicole Vassh at TRIUMF forecasted the joint production of light metals and rare earth nuclei. This co-production, observable in elements like ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, and silver, and others like europium and gadolinium, can be verified against star data.

Roederer’s analysis of 42 stars corroborated the predicted correlation, clearly indicating fission as the element creation method, particularly for elements slightly heavier and higher on the periodic table.

Mumpower noted that in stars with enhanced r-process data, every silver atom production is proportionally linked to heavier rare earth nuclei production. “This proves fission is the sole mechanism behind this,” he said.

Linking Nuclear Research to Stellar Phenomena

Los Alamos developed nuclear fission models for weapons research, as direct measurements post-1992 are scarce. These models, matching well with experimental data, have been instrumental in heavy element formation studies.

Reference: “Element abundance patterns in stars indicate fission of nuclei heavier than uranium” by Ian U. Roederer et al., 7 December 2023, Science.

Funding: Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Directed Research and Development program.

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More about Cosmic Fission

• Cosmic Fission and Heavy Elements
• Research on Nuclear Processes in Stars
• Formation of Superheavy Nuclei
• Los Alamos National Laboratory Study
• Science Journal Publication