| Term: | Explosive nucleosynthesis |
| Definition: |
The explosive processes that are believed to occur in supernovae. Explosive carbon burning occurs at a temperature of about 2 x 10^9 degrees and produces the nuclei from neon to silicon. Explosive oxygen burning occurs near 4 x 10^9 degrees and produces nuclei between silicon and calcium in atomic weight. At higher temperatures, still heavier nuclei are produced. |