Ancient dwarf galaxy was heavy-element factory
Cataclysm in Reticulum II identified as site of ‘r-process’
HEAVY METALS Scientists observed nine stars (circled) in the dwarf galaxy Reticulum II. Their data (shown for three stars) indicated the presence of heavy elements, formed through a sequence of reactions known as the “r-process.”
A. Ji, Fermilab/Dark Energy Survey (background image)