How did the elements of the periodic table emerge? To answer this question, scientists study the processes that take place inside stars. To do this, they use a variety of special equipment and facilities - from telescopes with which they record stellar spectra, to laboratories in which they study the production of elements, to supercomputers that they need to model astrophysical processes. The VERA laboratory at the University of Vienna is part of the ChETEC-INFRA research infrastructure network coordinated by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), which aims to facilitate access to specialized research facilities. A network of 32 research institutions from 17 nations with 13 smaller and medium-sized research facilities important to the field pools common resources. The European Union is funding the network with five million euros until 2025. The virtual kick-off meeting has now taken place on May 4 and 5.

Further links:

- Project page of the Isotope Physics Research Group at the University of Vienna

- ChETEC-INFRA project homepage

- Website of the project coordination at HZDR