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Friedrich-Karl Thielemann, Dept. of Physics, University of Basel
We discuss the astrophysical sites responsible for the nucleosynthesis of Fe-group and heavier elements, stating the present status, open problems, and possible solutions. This involves the ejecta of thermonuclear (or type Ia) supernovae, the effect of the core collapse supernova explosion mechanism on the ejected composition, the transition between neutron star and black hole remnants as the result of the collapse of massive stars, and the relation of the latter with supernova and/or gamma-ray bursts / hypernovae. In addition, the role of compact binary mergers is analyzed, especially with respect to forming the heaviest r-process elements in galactic evolution.