Deep-Sea and Lunar Radioisotopes from Nearby Astrophysical Explosions

Brian D. Fields, Anton Wallner

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Live (not decayed) radioisotopes on the Earth and Moon are messengers from recent nearby astrophysical explosions. Measurements of 60Fe in deep-sea samples, Antarctic snow, and lunar regolith reveal two pulses about 3 Myr and 7 Myr ago. Detection of 244Pu in a deep-sea crust indicates a recent r-process event. We review the ultrasensitive accelerator mass spectrometry techniques that enable these findings. We then explore the implications for astrophysics, including supernova nucleosynthesis, particularly the r-process, as well as supernova dust production and the formation of the Local Bubble that envelops the Solar System. The implications go beyond nuclear physics and astrophysics to include studies of heliophysics, astrobiology, geology, and evolutionary biology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)365-395
Number of pages31
JournalAnnual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science
Volume73
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 25 2023

Keywords

  • accelerator mass spectrometry
  • nucleosynthesis
  • r-process
  • supernovae

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics

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