Resembling an aerial fireworks display, this dramatic NASA Hubble Space Telescope picture of the energetic star WR124 (a Wolf-Rayet star) shows hot clumps of gas being ejected into space at speeds of over 100,000 miles per hour. While most elements are formed in stars, this century scientists have been able to synthesize "artificial" elements in the laboratory. Darleane C. Hoffman and Diana M. Lee discuss "Chemistry of the Heaviest Elements--One Atom at a Time" in this month's Viewpoints article on pages 331-347. Additional articles on the origins and properties of elements are here. Photo by NASA, used with permission.
The cover was designed by Betsy True.
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