NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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  1. Question

    If the Fe is the heaviest element "produced"/fusioned in a star. How are "produced" the others, which are heavier than Fe?

    The elements heavier that iron are produced in the extreme conditions of heat and pressure that take place during a supernova explosion. This same supernova mechanism also injects the gas enriched with heavy elements back into the interstellar gas clouds.

    David Morrison
    NAI Senior Scientist

    January 28, 2009