GRGR: Iron and Lead

[jporter]

Without waxing overly technical- Iron is presumed to be most common end
point of spontaneous nuclear fusion theorized to take place during late
stellar evolution. It is this process of stellar evolution that is believed
to be the source of all elements heavier than helium, which, along with
superabundent hydrogen are the products of the Big Bang and its aftermath,
before star formation began- although helium continues to be produced in
stars. All the other heavier elements are believed to be the products of
star based fusion. The process is complex, but Iron-56 is a critical point
in the spontaneous fusion occurring in this late evolution of stars. From
The Encyclopedia Britannica On-Line:


>>...Ironically,though destructive, this situation is also suitable for the
>>production of even heavier nuclei up to and including iron (iron-56)
>>again through the successive capture of helium nuclei. If the temperature
>>and the density continue to rise, the iron-group nuclei tend to break
>>down into alpha particles, but a large amount of energy is suddenly
>>consumed in the process. THE STAR THEN SUFFERS A VIOLENT IMPLOSION, OR
>>COLLAPSE, AFTER WHICH IT SOON EXPLODES AS A SUPERNOVA. IN THE CATASTOPHIC
>>EVENTS LEADING TO A SUPERNOVA EXPLOSION AND ROUGHLY 1000 SECONDS
>>THEREAFTER [my emphasis], a great variety of nuclear reactions can take
>>place. And these processes seem to be able to explain the trace
>>abundances of all the known elements heavier than iron.<<

Now that would be some screaming, and while I prefer most of the more *down
to earth* explanations of the iron imagery offered so far, at this very
critical and inclusive opening of the book, I wouldn't disgard any
potential level of meaning.

How about the reference to lead?

This element also signifies a late stage in physical evolution, this time
of the earth. All the naturally occurring uranium ( originally itself
formed by the explosions of supernovae- long ago and far away-) on and in
the earth, will in time, eventually decay to stable isotopes of lead. This
time, however, the process is not fusion but spontaneous fission.

It seems the dream may be incorporating not just the theme of *too
lateness*  for our species, but for the entire planet and even the sun, as
well.

The end of the line for both spontaneous fusion and fission in this little
corner of the universe...that would indeed be a very late time of day.

On a lighter note:

It might be fun to speculate about what that old end of the alphabetter
Zoyd was dreaming just before he woke up "later than usual..." in the
opening of Vineland. Seems like an ironic echo of this more awesome
awakening dream.


Jody