¹²⁹ I and ²⁴⁷ Cm in meteorites constrain the last astrophysical source of solar r-process elements

The origin of r-process elements Theoretical models predict that the synthesis heavy by rapid neutron capture process (r-process) occurs in extreme astrophysical environments such as star mergers or some types supernovae. Testing those predictions comparing them with isotopic record has been difficult. Côté et al. examined two isotopes, iodine-129 and curium-247, both which have half-lives 15.6 million years. Therefore, their ratio remains constant even long after nucleosynthesis event. isotopes at time Solar System formation is recorded meteorites. Comparing this value nuclear astrophysics calculations shows most likely source was moderately neutron-rich material ejected from a binary merger. Science , issue p. 945