The origin of $^{60}$Fe and other short-lived radionuclides in the early solar system

TL;DR

This paper reviews the origins of short-lived radionuclides in the early solar system, emphasizing that $^{60}$Fe likely originated from multiple past supernovae rather than a single nearby event.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of proposed sources for SLRs, highlighting the Galactic background origin for $^{60}$Fe over local supernovae.

Findings

$^{60}$Fe inherited from multiple supernovae

Galactic background as dominant source for $^{60}$Fe

Other SLRs have diverse origins

Abstract

Establishing the origin of short-lived radionuclides (SLRs) with half-lives $\leq$ 100 Myr has important implications for the astrophysical context of our Sun's birth place. We review here the different origins proposed for the variety of SLRs present in the solar accretion disk 4.57 Ga ago. Special emphasis is given to an enhanced Galactic background origin for $^{60}$Fe which was inherited from several supernovae belonging to previous episodes of star formation, rather than from a nearby, contemporaneous supernova.