Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Cosmic Alchemy: How Neutron Star Smash-Ups Forge Heavy Atoms
Featuring Dr. Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, University of California, Santa Cruz
The source of about half of the heaviest elements in the Universe has been a mystery for a long time. Although the general picture of element formation is well understood, many questions about the astrophysical details remain to be answered. The key may lie in the collision of neutron stars—violent, energetic, and unusual events that we are now beginning to observe. This talk will focus on recent advances in our understanding of the origin of the heaviest and rarest elements in the Universe.
Please note: this is a live simulcast from Morrison Planetarium; to accommodate in-person guests being seated, the livestream may start up to 5 minutes late.
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*How to Participate in Q&A on YouTube*
Set up your account in three easy steps and start chatting during YouTube livestreams! If you already have a Google account (Gmail, etc.), skip to Step 2.
Step 1: Set up YouTube Account: https://support.google.com/youtube/an...
On a computer:
1. Go to YouTube.
2. In the top right, click 'Sign in'.
3. Click 'Create Account'.
4. Choose 'For myself'.
On a mobile device:
Open the YouTube app.
1. In the top right, tap the profile picture icon.
2. Tap 'Sign in'.
3. Tap 'Add account (+)'.
Step 2: Create YouTube channel (allows you to comment during livestreams): support.google.com/youtube/answer/1646861
1. Sign in to YouTube on a computer or the mobile site.
2. Click your profile picture, then select 'Create a channel'.
3. You’ll be asked to create a channel. (Note: In this case, “channel” only refers to your public-facing YouTube username. Member talks on YouTube are only shared with Academy members.)
4. Check the details and confirm to create your channel.
Step 3: Chat during livestreams!
Now that your channel is set-up, you can ask questions and post in the live chat:
1. Click into chat box where it says “Say Something” and begin entering text.
2. Click Send .
Cosmic Alchemy: How Neutron Star Smash-Ups Forge Heavy Atoms
Featuring Dr. Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, University of California, Santa Cruz
The source of about half of the heaviest elements in the Universe has been a mystery for a long time. Although the general picture of element formation is well understood, many questions about the astrophysical details remain to be answered. The key may lie in the collision of neutron stars—violent, energetic, and unusual events that we are now beginning to observe. This talk will focus on recent advances in our understanding of the origin of the heaviest and rarest elements in the Universe.
Please note: this is a live simulcast from Morrison Planetarium; to accommodate in-person guests being seated, the livestream may start up to 5 minutes late.
__________
*How to Participate in Q&A on YouTube*
Set up your account in three easy steps and start chatting during YouTube livestreams! If you already have a Google account (Gmail, etc.), skip to Step 2.
Step 1: Set up YouTube Account: https://support.google.com/youtube/an...
On a computer:
1. Go to YouTube.
2. In the top right, click 'Sign in'.
3. Click 'Create Account'.
4. Choose 'For myself'.
On a mobile device:
Open the YouTube app.
1. In the top right, tap the profile picture icon.
2. Tap 'Sign in'.
3. Tap 'Add account (+)'.
Step 2: Create YouTube channel (allows you to comment during livestreams): support.google.com/youtube/answer/1646861
1. Sign in to YouTube on a computer or the mobile site.
2. Click your profile picture, then select 'Create a channel'.
3. You’ll be asked to create a channel. (Note: In this case, “channel” only refers to your public-facing YouTube username. Member talks on YouTube are only shared with Academy members.)
4. Check the details and confirm to create your channel.
Step 3: Chat during livestreams!
Now that your channel is set-up, you can ask questions and post in the live chat:
1. Click into chat box where it says “Say Something” and begin entering text.
2. Click Send .
