Dave Morrissey, University Distinguished Professor of chemistry at NSCL and Michigan State University. Morrissey, pictured here in the NSCL data acquisition area, says this discovery "shows how much mystery remains about atomic nuclei."
Picture from the NSCL experimenters' logbook used during the experiment that for the first time successfully created three super-heavy isotopes of magnesium and aluminum. The partially visible scrawled note "Let the celebrations begin!" reflects the researchers excitement at the discovery.
Particle identification plot from the NSCL experimenters' logbook showing the successful discovery of magnesium-40 (Mg40), an exotic, neutron-rich rare isotope pursued for years by nuclear scientists worldwide.