Big Bang nucleosynthesis
Big Bang nucleosynthesis refers to the production of light atomic nuclei during the early stages of the universe. It is associated with the formation of hydrogen, helium, and trace amounts of lithium.
Big Bang nucleosynthesis is discussed in cosmology, nuclear physics, and astrophysics.
Status
Predicted elemental abundances from Big Bang nucleosynthesis are compared with astronomical observations. Agreement is strong for several light elements, while discrepancies remain for others, and modeling continues to be refined.