CuriosityHe core

If ²⁵Mg(n,γ)²⁶Mg were twice as fast, this model of a massive star's helium core would end up with about a third as much strontium‑88 (−69%).

Biggest knock-on effect: ⁸⁶Sr (−71%).

Magnesium‑25 is a neutron poison: it swallows neutrons before the iron seeds can.

One-zone model at 250 MK over 83 000 years. Real stars adjust. For this site the sizes are upper limits: read the direction of the change. Doubling is a what-if, not the rate's actual uncertainty. How well this rate is known: improving.

Try it How we know this rate

If 25Mg(n,γ)26Mg were twice as fast, this model of a massive star's helium core would end up with about a third as much strontium‑88 (−69%).

If ²⁵Mg(n,γ)²⁶Mg were twice as fast, this model of a massive star's helium core would end up with about a third as much strontium‑88 (−69%).