The mystery of nuclear 'magic numbers' has finally been resolved

18:00 - 16 Feb 2026

www.newscientist.com

A mathematical equivalent of a microscope with variable resolution has shed light on why some atoms are exceptionally stable, a riddle that has persisted in nuclear physics for decades

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2514983-the-mystery-of-nuclear-magic-numbers-has-finally-been-resolved/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home

Article info:

Full Article URL: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2514983-the-mystery-of-nuclear-magic-numbers-has-finally-been-resolved/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home
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Source: https://www.newscientist.com/feed/home/?cmpid=RSS|NSNS-Home
Newscientist.com: https://www.newscientist.com
Publication date: 2026-02-16 18:00:59
Last retrieval: 2026-02-16 20:46:10.531094