“The Cosmic Forge of the Elements”

OREME Conference at Planet Ocean.

Most of the chemical elements we know of were produced during the evolution of the cosmos, beginning in the moments immediately following the Big Bang and continuing throughout its evolution within stars and their environments. This lecture offers a fascinating journey to the heart of stars to understand the mechanisms that govern this cosmic factory.

Ana Palacios, an astronomer and research professor at the University of Montpellier and affiliated with the Montpellier Universe and Particles Laboratory, specializes in astrophysical processes related to stellar evolution and the production of chemical elements. She will explore how these discoveries have transformed our understanding of the universe.

The lecture will also touch on her journey as a female scientist: the motivations that led her to astrophysics and her perspective on how the role of women in science has evolved. She serves as an inspiration to younger generations—both girls and boys—who wish to pursue a career in science and explore the mysteries of the universe.