Are there elements heavier that Iron in the core of a star during its death throes that could fuse

Are there stars massive enough that could fuse elements heavier than iron?
Or are there elements heavier than iron in a massive stars core?

the understanding lies in the concept of "curve of binding energy"

you (should )know E= MC^2 so if a nucleus changes mass it must change energy

it so happens that iron is the "peak of the curve"

if a heavier N splits or fissions into lighter n E is released
if lighter n Fuse in to heavier N energy can ALSO be released

Iron is the end point where fission and fusion have not relative advantage
so an Iron core star cannot produce energy and collapses into a nova. At that time the gravitational E crushes the iron so much hat heavier N can form

I suppose this could happen on a small scale in a "burning star" but I am not sure

Needs Atomic physics expert

Yes. In fact, that's where most heavy atoms on the Earth originally came from. But since iron and everything higher produces no extra energy when they fuse (they suck up energy), it's not stable. Once iron starts fusing, the star undergoes a supernova explosion. During the explosion, heavier elements can fuse because there's enough energy around, but you can't have a star that just sits there fusing heavy elements for a long period of time.

No. Elements heavier than nickel-56 are created ONLY by the high pressures during a type II supernova of massive stars. The star may turn into a neutron star, or it may tear itself apart, seeding the elements equal to and heavier than iron-56 (nickel 56 has a short half life) throughout the cosmos to ultimately become the cores of all types of planets, including Jovian, terrestrial and dwarf planets.

yes, but not in any great quantity or in any sustainable way... its at BEST an accidental side effect.


Oops, I got carried away and fused a handful of cobalts and a nickel... maybe no one will notice (sweeps them under the rug)

we have no idea, most astronomy is guesswork but as stars appear to have cores at several million degrees we can't even guess what the state of matter is there