Frontiers in Nuclear Astrophysics
  The synthesis of nuclei in diverse cosmic scenarios is reviewed, with a
summary of the basic concepts involved before a discussion of the current
status in each case is made. We review the physics of the early universe, the
proton to neutron ratio influence in the observed helium abundance, reaction
networks, the formation of elements up to beryllium, the inhomogeneous Big Bang
model, and the Big Bang nucleosynthesis constraints on cosmological models.
Attention is paid to element production in stars, together with the details of
the pp chain, the pp reaction, $^3$He formation and destruction, electron
capture on $^7$Be, the importance of $^8$B formation and its relation to solar
neutrinos, and neutrino oscillations. Nucleosynthesis in massive stars is also
reviewed, with focus on the CNO cycle and its hot companion cycle, the
rp-process, triple-$\alpha$ capture, and red giants and AGB stars. The stellar
burning of carbon, neon, oxygen, and silicon is presented in a separate
section, as well as the slow and rapid nucleon capture processes and the
importance of medium modifications due to electrons also for pycnonuclear
reactions. The nucleosynthesis in cataclysmic events such as in novae, X-ray
bursters and in core-collapse supernovae, the role of neutrinos, and the
supernova radioactivity and light-curve is further discussed, as well as the
structure of neutron stars and its equation of state. A brief review of the
element composition found in cosmic rays is made in the end.
