Nuclear fission in the cosmos? Scientists reveal the first clues with new observations

In an article published in Science Magazine, researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States, Describe an observational model that confirms for the first time the theory of the existence of nuclear fission in stars. It may seem obvious, but science has not yet been able to prove the existence of nuclear fission processes in the universe.

Nuclear fission is the process of splitting a very heavy atomic nucleus into smaller nuclei. For example, it can be triggered by direct bombardment of the nucleus, as in the first atomic bomb models.

However, in the case of large celestial stars, it is not possible to observe such events and test them in the laboratory. Therefore, it is up to computational and observational models to provide answers to such questions.

Heavy elements such as Uranium and Iron were known to form during massive neutron star collisions where the elements fuse and free particles are quickly captured, a phenomenon known as the R process.

superheavy elements, These stars, which can leave behind the largest masses in the periodic table, are also found in continuous fusion processes in supernova stars.. So how can we explain the existence of light elements?

Nuclear fission in the universe

Los Alamos Laboratory researchers are led by Ian Roederer of North Carolina State University. developed nuclear fission models that can predict and manipulate observational data responsive to this entity.

Researchers found a direct correlation between the increase in superheavy metals and manifestations of light metals such as silver, gadolinium, rhodium, among others. Nuclear fission can produce both heavy and lighter elements.

For the group of scientists, there is clear evidence that fission can split elementary nuclei, producing heavy elements that can surpass the densest known elements in the periodic table. Moreover, with the natural decay process, other elements will gradually form, which would explain the presence of light metals in these systems.

This is the first time researchers have found clear signatures since the 1950s. data showing the existence of the nuclear fission process in the cosmos.

However, the exact solution to the problem is still hanging in the air and depends on the advancement of technology and the full clarification of observational analysis, as it is not possible to recreate this energy with laboratory experiments.

Another point is this: Development and testing of energies that could produce weapons has been suspended. Therefore, watching and studying the sky is the only way to understand this phenomenon.

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