Donald Delbert Clayton is an American astrophysicist whose most visible achievement was the prediction from nucleosynthesis theory that supernovae are intensely radioactive. That earned Clayton the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal (1992) for “theoretical astrophysics related to the formation of (chemical) elements in the explosions of stars and to the observable products of these explosions”. Supernovae thereafter became the most important stellar events in astronomy owing to their profoundly radioactive nature. Not only did Clayton discover radioactive nucleosynthesis during explosive silicon burning in stars but he also predicted a new type of astronomy based on it, namely the associated gamma-ray line radiation emitted by matter ejected from supernovae. That paper was selected as one of the fifty most influential papers in astronomy during the twentieth century for the Centennial Volume of the American Astronomical Society. He gathered support from influential astronomers and physicists for a new NASA budget item for a gamma-ray-observatory satellite, achieving successful funding for Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. With his focus on radioactive supernova gas Clayton discovered a new chemical pathway causing carbon dust to condense there by a process that is activated by the radioactivity.Clayton's foundational ideas for five original subfields of astrophysics are detailed in Section 5 below. They are: (1) nucleosynthesis, the assembly within stars of the atomic nuclei of the common chemical elements by nuclear reactions occurring therein; (2) astronomical detection of gamma-ray lines emitted by radioactive atoms created and ejected by supernovae; (3) mathematical models of the growth over time of the interstellar abundances of radioactive atoms; (4) predictions of the existence of interstellar cosmic dust grains from individual stars—individual chunks of long-dead stars. He named those stardust, each containing isotopically identifiable radioactive atoms of the host stars; (5) predictions of the condensation of solid grains of pure carbon within hot, oxygen-dominated radioactive supernova gases. Clayton launched these original ideas from research positions at California Institute of Technology, Rice University, Cambridge University (England), Max-Plank Institute for Nuclear Physics (Germany), Durham University (England) and Clemson University during an international academic career spanning six decades.
Clayton also authored four books for the public: (1) a novel, The Joshua Factor (1985), is a parable of the origin of mankind utilizing the mystery of solar neutrinos; (2) a science autobiography, Catch a Falling Star; (3) a mid-career memoir The Dark Night Sky, of cultural interest owing to Clayton's conception of it in 1970 as layout for a movie: 245–249 with Italian filmmaker Roberto Rossellini about growing awareness during a cosmological life (See Personal below); (4)Handbook of Isotopes in the Cosmos (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2003), describing in prose the nuclear origin of each isotope of our natural elements and important evidence supporting each nuclear origin. Clayton has also published on the web (5) Photo Archive for the History of Nuclear Astrophysics from his personal photographs and his researched captions recording photographic history during his research in nuclear astrophysics, a contribution to the history of science.
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Some of their strengths
Donald D. Clayton has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Sophisticated, Curious, Intelligent, Inquisitive, Practical, Diplomatic, and Mysterious.
Soulful and Understanding
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Donald D. Clayton is someone who is a soulful, understanding, and conscious person, who combines smarts with a deep talent for creativity and imagination. A person who is known for being diligent and strong.
Soulful and Intuitive
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Donald D. Clayton well know them as someone who can be graceful, romantic, and reserved, like gentle rain.
Methodical and Exacting
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Donald D. Clayton as someone who is careful, methodical, and a perfectionist.
A person who forms successful business partnerships, who appreciates the variety the world has to offer, who takes a frugal approach to life and tends to be a workaholic, and who engages in things that let them express their opinion.
Inquisitive and Progressive
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Donald D. Clayton is someone who is an eternal student who is always interested in learning new things, and who has a desire to shake things up and change things.
They are also someone who is balanced, stable, and energetic, who likes the idea of home and family, and who is very comfortable being the person in charge.
Creative and Imaginative
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Donald D. Clayton tends to be someone who is sensitive, imaginative, creative, and somewhat of a dreamer. Who is intuitive and compassionate, and who has a friendly, easygoing, calming and relaxing effect on people and for whom friends and family mean the world.
Some of Donald D. Clayton's challenges
While Donald D. Clayton has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Donald D. Clayton can be Indecisive, Unrealistic, Difficult, Perfectionist, Hesitant, Narcissistic, and Sensitive.
Indecisive and Unrealistic
One of Donald D. Clayton's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as indecisive and unrealistic.
Sensitive and Critical
Donald D. Clayton is someone who can be insecure, critical, and pessimistic, who can have difficulty relaxing, can be possessive and jealous, and who can have difficulty listening to others' opinions and perspectives and make hasty decisions.
Lethargic and Unrealistic
Finally, Donald D. Clayton also can be too soft, lazy and lethargic, and who can have difficulty finding others who share a similarly dreamy outlook on life.
