The very first element on the Periodic Table may be the key to solving mysteries hiding inside the atom’s nucleus. Nuclear ...

Some atomic nuclei are thin-skinned — they’re surrounded by a slim shell of neutrons. Physicists now know how thick that neutron skin is for one particular type of nucleus. The skin of lead-208 — a ...

Researchers have reported new experimental results addressing the origin of rare proton-rich isotopes heavier than iron, ...

"It is fascinating to concretely see how each new neutron-star observation enables us to deduce the properties of neutron-star matter with increasing precision." When you purchase through links on our ...

A new measurement of the strong nuclear force, which binds protons and neutrons together, confirms previous hints of an uncomfortable truth: We still don’t have a solid theoretical grasp of even the ...

Neutron stars are some of the weirdest cosmic objects, and the greatest mysteries lie deep in their hearts. Neutron stars' surface gravities are so intense that the largest "mountains" are only a few ...

Chinese scientists have for the first time directly observed the Migdal effect in neutron-nucleus collisions in an experiment ...

A researcher stands behind a metal pipe covered with electrical cords and gauges. A researcher works on a device at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. This part of the facility provides low-energy ...

Neutrons are among the basic building blocks of matter. As long as they are part of a stable atomic nucleus, they can stay there for arbitrary periods of time. However, the situation is different for ...

Imagine that a massive star, one far bigger than our own sun, has died. First there is a spectacular explosion, followed by whatever remains. Sometimes it is a black hole, which can be fascinating in ...

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. A new measurement of the strong nuclear force, which binds protons and neutrons together, confirms previous hints of an uncomfortable ...