Quest for the Elements

The author is Professor of Physics in the University of Calcutta and a former Regular Associate of the ICTP, Trieste. Dr. Gangopadhyay has published nearly ninety research papers in refereed international journals. His areas of specialization are nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics. In nuclear physics, he works in the field of experimental and theoretical nuclear structure. In astrophysics, his research includes studying the effects of  nuclear reactions and the Saha ionization equation in processes that power the stars and creates new elements. Recently, Dr. Gangopadhyay has co-authored a semi-popular book ‘Rhythm in the Sky’ in the series ‘Studies in Rhythm Engineering’ published by Springer Nature on periodic phenomena astronomy and cosmology. He is also Guest Co-editor of an issue of The European Physical Journal Special Topics on the theme ‘Nuclear Astrophysics: Recent Progress in Understanding Element Formation in the Universe’.

• Part one.- The big and the small.- Part two.- The lights of heaven.- Stones dust clouds and wind.- Part three.- The rise and fall of contraction.- Nucleus to the rescue.- Chains and cycles.- Part four.- Neutrons galore.- The moment of creation.- The heavenly cauldrons.- The synthesis.