Scientists Discover Heaviest Proton-Emitting Nucleus After Nearly 30 Years

Scientists Discover Heaviest Proton-Emitting Nucleus After Nearly 30 Years

Researchers at Finland’s University of Jyväskylä have identified astatine-188, the heaviest atomic nucleus yet known to undergo proton emission. This rare radioactive decay challenges established nuclear models and offers new insight into the structure and stability of exotic isotopes. The breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, marks a major step forward in understanding the limits of atomic matter.

Astatine-188: The heaviest proton emitter discovered

For the first time in more than thirty years, the heaviest nucleus decaying via proton emission has been measured.