What Is a Supernova Process Like?

This brings experts one step closer to understanding the process of how elements are produced in the universe.

Transcript

00:00Supernovae are some of the most energetic phenomena in our universe.

00:09So, what if one were to occur on Earth?

00:11Well, Science Alert reports a team of scientists from the University of Surrey in the UK

00:15have been able to recreate the process of a star-going supernova in a lab.

00:19The researchers observed the supernova process by probing an accelerated beam of radioactive ions,

00:24creating the proton capture process that is supposed to happen within a star

00:28when it undergoes a core-collapse supernova.

00:30Researchers use what's called the isotope separator and accelerator Mark II,

00:34creating a radioactively charged stream of rubidium-83 atoms.

00:38When probed, they found this process produced P-nucleus strontium-84,

00:42which is evidence of the theorized star gamma process model being true.

00:46In that process, atoms are able to grab onto loose protons

00:49during a particularly energetic event like a supernova.

00:52And as it gathers more protons, the elements become whatever is next up on the periodic table,

00:56as elements are determined by how many protons they have.

01:00It's pretty amazing science,

01:01and gets us one step closer to understanding these stellar cosmic bodies and how they work.