Copernicium, discovered 13 years ago and previously known as element 112, was officially added to the table only a few weeks ago. |
The half-life of the new element Copernicium is not yet clear. |
A team led by Sigurd Hofmann of the Center for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt, Germany, created copernicium, symbol Cn, in 1996 by bombarding a lead target with zinc. |
Element 112 was first observed in 1996 but was given its new name copernicium only this past February. |
Element 112, found in 1996, was dubbed copernicium, for the famous Polish astronomer. |