Slow neutron capture in AGB stars creates half of all heavy elements beyond iron
Atomic Number (Z): 26
Mass Number (A): 56
Neutrons (N): 30
Progress: Fe-56 → Bi-209 (s-process endpoint)
S-Process: Slow neutron capture occurs over thousands of years.
When a nucleus captures a neutron, it either:
• Remains stable (if new isotope is stable)
• Undergoes β⁻ decay → new element