The lightest elements of the Universe, hydrogen and helium, were born during the Big Bang. Heavier ones, like oxygen or iron, are synthesized in the cores of stars and disperse into space after they die. But the valuable substances – gold, platinum and other elements heavier than iron – only emerge under extreme conditions that have remained a mystery to science for decades. Researchers led by Professor Brian Metzger and doctoral student Anirudh Patel proposed an unexpected solution: the source of these elements could be magnetars – neutron stars with the most powerful magnetic fields in the Universe.
From flare to treasure
On December 27, 2004, space telescopes detected the most powerful gamma ray burst in observational history. Its source was the magnetar SGR 1806-20, located 30,000 light-years from Earth. It released more energy in half a second than the Sun did in 250,000 years. However, the most interesting was the “afterglow” – a weaker signal that lasted for hours. For a long time, scientists could not explain its nature.
A new study shows: this signal is a trace of radioactive decay of heavy elements synthesized during the flare. When the magnetar released energy, its crust underwent a series of nuclear reactions, forming elements with a combined mass greater than Mars. “We compared the models to the 2004 data – and saw a perfect match. It was a eureka moment!” – Patel said.
From magnetars to human jewelry
Magnetars are neutron stars left behind after supernova explosions. Their magnetic fields are trillions of times stronger than Earth’s, and the energy of the flares can affect planetary atmospheres. Scientists estimate that up to 10% of gold, platinum and other metals on Earth could have formed during such flares.
“The platinum and gold in my engagement ring may have been born in a similar flare,” Metzger noted.
This is only the second confirmed mechanism for the synthesis of heavy elements. The first was the neutron star merger predicted by Metzger in 2010 and confirmed in 2017. New work is changing the way we think about the chemical evolution of the Universe. “Magnetars could be cosmic forges of heavy metals,” Patel added.
The study not only reveals mysteries of the past, but also opens up new questions: how often do magnetars generate such flares? Can they explain all the amount of heavy elements in the Galaxy? Answering them will help us understand how the atoms that make up our bodies and the world around us have undergone billions of years of cosmic fusion.
The next time you look at a piece of gold jewelry, remember: its story may have begun in the flames of the most powerful explosions in the universe.
Earlier we reported on how astronomers saw the formation of gold from neutron star mergers.
According to NASA
