JINA Nuclear Astrophysics Course

Reaction networks are computer models that determine how a set of nuclear reactions modifies the composition of an astrophysical environment. Each nucleus in the network can be produced or destroyed by various reactions. The network code solves a set of differential equations for the abundance of each nucleus as a function of time. Network calculations are the link between the nuclear physics and the astrophysics and therefore play a central role in nuclear astrophysics. They are part of astrophysical model codes that describe stars and stellar explosions, and they are also used stand-alone to explore the impact of nuclear physics on composition and energy generation in an astrophysical environment.

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