Discovery of the actinium, thorium, protactinium, and uranium isotopes C. Fry, M. Thoennessen∗ National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA Abstract Currently, 31 actinium, 31 thorium, 28 protactinium, and 23 uranium isotopes have so far been observed; the discovery of these isotopes is discussed. For each isotope a brief summary of the first refereed publication, including the production and identification method, is presented. ∗Corresponding author. Email address:
[email protected] (M. Thoennessen) Preprint submitted to Atomic Data and Nuclear Data Tables January 14, 2012 Contents 1. Introduction . 2 2. 206−236Ac............................................................................................. 3 3. 208−238Th............................................................................................. 11 4. 212−239Pa ............................................................................................. 18 5. 217−242U.............................................................................................. 25 6. Summary ............................................................................................. 32 References . 32 Explanation of Tables . 39 7. Table 1. Discovery of actinium, thorium, protactinium, and uranium isotopes . 39 Table 1. Discovery of actinium, thorium, protactinium, and uranium isotopes. See page 39 for Explanation of Tables . 40 1. Introduction The discovery of actinium, thorium, protactinium,