From deep inside to outer space: Exploring neutron skins

These days, neutron skin is one of the key words not only in nuclear physics but also in astrophysics. A variety of experimental methods has been carried out over the last years to determine the neutron skin of heavy and medium nuclei. To overcome strong model dependencies a simultaneous combination of different techniques is favoured. Combining high precision measurements using parity violating electron scattering with the opportunity to measure a multitude of nuclei given by coherent p0 photoproduction allows a systematic determination across the periodic table thus benchmarking modern calculation. In a first step the systematic investigation of 58Ni, 208Pb and three tin isotopes (116;120;124Sn) using the latter method has been realised at the Mainzer Microtron (MAMI, Mainz). For complement, two new measuring programs using parity violating electron scattering are scheduled: within the A1 collaboration at the existing accelerator facility as well as with the future accelerator MESA within the scope of the P2 collaboration. Advantaged by the solenoidal detector design, the parity violating asymmetry for polarized electrons scattered on heavy nuclei can be determined with a 1% resolution. Status and prospects of the projects in Mainz will be discussed.