Lead-208 Nucleus Found to Be Elongated, Challenging Physics Theories

For decades, the "doubly magic" lead-208 nucleus was believed to be perfectly spherical. However, research led by the University of Surrey's Nuclear Physics Group, published in Physical Review Letters on February 14, 2025, has revealed that it is actually elongated, resembling a rugby ball. This discovery challenges fundamental principles of nuclear structure and could reshape our understanding of heavy element formation in the universe. Using the GRETINA gamma-ray spectrometer at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois, scientists bombarded lead atoms with high-speed particle beams. By analyzing the gamma-ray fingerprints of excited quantum states in lead-208 nuclei, they determined its shape. Dr. Jack Henderson, the study's principal investigator, stated that the findings "demonstrate conclusively that lead-208 is not spherical." Theoretical physicists are now re-examining models used to describe atomic nuclei. Professor Paul Stevenson, lead theorist, suggests that the vibrations of the lead-208 nucleus may be less regular than previously assumed. This study opens new avenues for research into nuclear stability, astrophysics, and quantum mechanics.