Naturally occurring manganese (25Mn) is composed of one stable isotope, 55Mn.
Manganese is part of the iron group of elements, which are thought to be synthesized in large stars shortly before supernova explosions.
Because of its relatively short half-life, 53Mn occurs only in tiny amounts due to the action of cosmic rays on iron in rocks.
Mn−Cr isotopic ratios reinforce the evidence from 26Al and 107Pd for the early history of the Solar System.
Hence 53Mn provides additional evidence for nucleosynthetic processes immediately before coalescence of the Solar System.