Is there any evidence that this actually happens?dtowne said:Looks like the answer is in fact 1, as mentioned above. Rationale, from Wikipedia:
"The creation of free neutrons by electron capture during the rapid collapse to high density of a supernova core along with quick assembly of some neutron-rich seed nuclei makes the r-process a primary nucleosynthesis process, meaning a process that can occur even in a star initially of pure H and He, ..."
Except the hypothesis of Cf powering supernovae was not confirmed when checked, and it is now attributed to Ni-56 instead.dtowne said:Yes, heavy elements show up in supernova spectra all the time. Basically the first search result that I got was http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1956PASP...68..296B, and I know I've seen others.
Stellar nucleosynthesis is the process by which elements are created in the cores of stars through nuclear reactions. This process is responsible for the formation of all elements heavier than hydrogen and helium.
Stellar nucleosynthesis occurs through two main processes: fusion and neutron capture. Fusion is the process of combining lighter elements to form heavier elements, while neutron capture is the process of adding neutrons to existing elements to create heavier isotopes.
The elements created through stellar nucleosynthesis include all elements up to iron, which is the heaviest element that can be formed through fusion. Elements heavier than iron are created through neutron capture in the cores of massive stars or during supernova explosions.
The age of a star is a key factor in determining the elements that are created through stellar nucleosynthesis. Younger stars, which have not yet undergone significant nuclear reactions, have a higher abundance of lighter elements. Older stars, on the other hand, have a higher abundance of heavier elements due to the accumulation of elements through fusion and neutron capture over time.
The elements created through stellar nucleosynthesis in previous generations of stars were recycled and incorporated into the gas and dust clouds that eventually formed our solar system. This means that the elements that make up our planet, including the essential elements for life, were created through stellar nucleosynthesis in other stars billions of years ago.