The rapid neutron capture process occurs in extreme environments like neutron star mergers.
Nuclei capture hundreds of neutrons in milliseconds before decay can occur, creating
the heaviest elements in the universe.
NEUTRON STAR MERGER
GW170817 - First observed r-process event
t = 0.000 ms
Neutron Density
n = 10²⁶ neutrons/cm³
Elements Created
56
Current Mass #
26
Atomic # (Z)
0
n Captures
0
β Decays
Notable Elements Formed
Gold (Z=79): All gold on Earth came from r-process events
Platinum (Z=78): Extremely rare, formed in neutron star mergers
Uranium (Z=92): The heaviest naturally occurring element