Have scientists solved the mystery of gold’s origin in the universe?

Mon May 05 10:49:36 UTC 2025: ## Magnetar Explosions: A New Source for the Universe’s Gold

**New York, NY** – A groundbreaking study published in *The Astrophysical Journal Letters* reveals a surprising new source for the universe’s gold: giant flares from highly magnetized neutron stars known as magnetars. The research, led by Anirudh Patel of Columbia University, analyzed two decades of archival data from NASA and ESA telescopes, revealing that these flares contribute significantly to the galactic abundance of elements heavier than iron, including gold.

Previously, neutron star collisions (kilonovae) were considered the primary source of heavy elements like gold. However, this study suggests that magnetar flares, occurring much earlier in the universe’s history, played a crucial role. The researchers estimate that magnetar giant flares could account for up to 10% of the galaxy’s heavy element abundance.

The process, the researchers hypothesize, involves the rapid capture of neutrons by atomic nuclei within the flare, leading to a chain of radioactive decays that transform lighter elements into heavier ones, including gold. This contrasts with the later-occurring kilonovae, which were previously thought to be the sole significant producer of gold.

“It’s a pretty fundamental question in terms of the origin of complex matter in the universe,” said Patel. “It’s a fun puzzle that hasn’t actually been solved.”

Co-author Eric Burns of Louisiana State University notes that the first magnetars likely formed shortly after the universe’s first stars, billions of years earlier than neutron star collisions. This finding pushes back the timeline for gold creation in the universe.

The research team used previously unanalyzed data to reach this conclusion. Future observations by NASA’s upcoming Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) mission, launching in 2027, are expected to provide further insights into the elemental composition of these giant flares, strengthening our understanding of the origin of elements in the cosmos.

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