The path of heavy element origin studies since Burbidge, Burbidge, Fowler, and Hoyle (B2FH)

Since B2FH charted the initial roadmap for nuclear astrophysics, the field has not only progressed but diversified to study many more nucleosynthesis processes and astrophysical sites. Nevertheless, as was recognized 65 years ago, it remains that explaining heavy element origins requires at least two types of neutron capture processes with each having a distinct neutron density and astrophysical site. At the time of B2FH the rapid neutron capture process (r-process) showed itself to synthesize exotic nuclei far from stability largely via its signature on the solar abundances. Nowadays we have a wealth of observational information to assimilate, from metal-poor star abundances to kilonova light curves. In this talk I will review progress and current perspectives in understanding r-process candidate site(s), particularly in light of the revolutionary multi-messenger neutron star merger event GW170817. I will also discuss how nuclear physics will play a central role in addressing the question of heavy element origins over the next decade, with world-wide campaigns fixing their aim at new measurements and new theoretical calculations of the properties of still unprobed neutron-rich nuclei.