Ancient dwarf galaxy was heavy-element factory
Cataclysm in Reticulum II identified as site of ‘r-process’
![Dwarf galaxy Reticulum II](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/042116-ec-r-process-brief-free.jpg?fit=860%2C460&ssl=1)
HEAVY METALS Scientists observed nine stars (circled) in the dwarf galaxy Reticulum II. Their data (shown for three stars) indicated the presence of heavy elements, formed through a sequence of reactions known as the “r-process.”
A. Ji, Fermilab/Dark Energy Survey (background image)