Researchers at Columbia University have discovered a new source of rare heavy elements like gold, platinum, and uranium, which are forged in the intense radiation of magnetars. These supermagnetized stars release vast amounts of high-energy radiation during “starquakes” and fractures, creating unstable heavy radioactive nuclei that decay into these precious metals.
Magnetars, types of neutron stars formed from massive stars’ supernovae, have magnetic fields a trillion times stronger than Earth’s. When they undergo giant flares, they also create heavy radioactive nuclei, which were previously unknown to be produced in such extreme environments. The research team analyzed data from NASA missions RHESSI and Wind satellite, confirming the presence of these elements in a 2004 magnetar flare.
The study suggests that this new source can account for up to 10% of the Milky Way’s heavy elements, resolving a two-decade-long mystery surrounding a bright flash observed from a magnetar in 2004. Further research is needed to confirm other potential r-process sites and understand how heavy elements are synthesized in these extreme environments.
The discovery provides substantial insight into the production of rare heavy elements, which were formed primarily through the life or death of stars. The r-process, requiring an abundance of free neutrons, occurs only in extreme environments like magnetar flares and neutron star mergers.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/magnetar-starquake-flare-heavy-elements-metals-gold-2066237