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nucleosynthesis
Found in thesaurus: synthesis
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Nucleosynthesis
Nucleosynthesis is the process that creates new atomic nuclei from pre-existing nucleons, primarily protons and neutrons. The first nuclei were formed about three minutes after the Big Bang, through the process called Big Bang nucleosynthesis. It was then that hydrogen and helium formed to become the content of the first stars, and this primeval process is responsible for the present hydrogen/helium ratio of the cosmos.
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nucleosynthesis
Noun
1. (astronomy) the cosmic synthesis of atoms more complex than the hydrogen atom
(hypernym) synthesis
(classification) astronomy, uranology
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Nucleosynthesis
The process by which the chemical elements are built by naturally occurring nuclear reactions. Nucleosynthesis took place when the universe was between one and five minutes old. It now takes place in the centre of stars and during supernova explosions. It can also take place in high energy collisions between existing atomic nuclei and high energy elementary particles such as those found in cosmic rays.
