Supernova nucleosynthesis

This review concentrates on the results of nucleosynthesis studies which are considered to be well established independent of the details of hydrodynamic models. In the first section explosive nucleosynthesis is discussed with reference to heavy nucleus production by charged particle nucleosynthesis, neutron-capture or r process nucleosynthesis and hydrogen and helium induced nucelosynthesis. Data on element abundance is given and compared with solar abundances. The second section discusses supernova models and presents a summary of supernova core nucleosynthesis conditions. The neutrino transport mechanism, the carbon detonation mechanism and massive star supernovae are considered. Finally the author summarizes the implications of 26Mg anomalies in meteorites for supernova nucleosynthesis. The general conclusion is that supernovae provide the astrophysical environments in which the bulk of heavy elements in nature are formed by thermonuclear mechanisms. (B.D.)