Heavy Elements Produced by Convergence in the Infinite Universe

Supernova explosions are finally rejected as the progenitors of elements heavier than iron.

I have always been suspicious of the assumption that heavy elements were produced by explosions. Even common sense indicates everything in the universe is produced by things coming together, not coming apart. My thesis work used neutron activation analysis in which we bombarded volcanic ash samples with neutrons — always producing radioactive isotopes that were heavier, not lighter than the naturally occurring isotopes.[1] Apparently, this experience had a significant influence on me. I was later to devise the Sixth Assumption of Science, complementarity (All things are subject to divergence and convergence from other things).[2]

For the most part, our Sun, a relatively small, young star, has only enough pressure (convergence) to force hydrogen atoms close enough together to produce helium and, eventually, a few atoms as heavy as iron. All the really heavy atoms, such as gold, silver, uranium, and the rare earth elements I used came from outside the solar system. These obviously were ejected during explosions of large, elderly stars that previously had enough pressure to produce those elements before the explosions took place.

Explosions do not create anything complex, but I suppose that mistake might be expected from naïve cosmogonists who assume the entire universe was created in an explosion either…