Scientists have proposed a new explanation for the origin of heavy elements like gold and platinum in the universe. While it was previously believed that these elements primarily formed during neutron star mergers, this mechanism alone appears insufficient to account for their abundance in the early universe. A new study suggests that magnetars—neutron stars with extremely strong magnetic fields—could be a major source of these elements.
An analysis of archival data from a 2004 flare revealed that “starquakes” on magnetars—fractures in their rigid crusts—can trigger the so-called r-process, a rapid neutron-capture process responsible for synthesizing heavy elements. The powerful gamma-ray bursts following these events help spread the newly formed elements across the cosmos. According to estimates, a single starquake could produce heavy metals equivalent to a third of Earth’s mass in just seconds.
This discovery not only sheds light on the origin of precious elements but also offers a compelling explanation for mysterious cosmic gamma-ray bursts. The alignment between the new model and data from the 2004 event lends strong support to the hypothesis.
Looking ahead, NASA plans to launch the COSI telescope to study these phenomena in greater detail. As astrophysicist Anirudh Patel noted, realizing that the gold in our devices might come from such extreme cosmic events makes the finding all the more remarkable.
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