From the early universe to the interiors of stars, nature has been conducting nuclear experiments on a cosmic scale. This talk follows the journey of matter as it transforms through nuclear reactions, particularly in stellar cores and supernovae, connecting fundamental astrophysical processes and modern nuclear physics. We’ll also see how cosmic rays continue this process even today and the consequences for long-term human spaceflight.

Trevor is a staff scientist at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory of Brookhaven National Laboratory working in nuclear and accelerator physics. Since joining the lab in 2019, they have advised and conducted countless studies that simulate the complex space radiation environment with teams from NASA, ESA, university researchers, and space-flight industry leaders.