COSMOS MAGAZINE
Scientists have discovered that massive flares from supermagnetised stars called magnetars may create gold, platinum, and other heavy elements.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
In an ejection that would have caused its rotation to slow, a magnetar is depicted losing material into space in this artist’s concept. The magnetar’s strong, twisted magnetic field lines (shown in green) can influence the flow of electrically charged material from the object, which is a type of neutron star. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
These elements need intense energy to form, far beyond what stars like our Sun can provide.
New research reveals that one giant magnetar flare in 2004 likely produced a Mars-sized mass of heavy elements.
This breakthrough helps explain why young galaxies have more heavy elements than previously expected.
It’s only the second time scientists have directly seen where these rare elements are born — and it opens the door to even more cosmic surprises.
Artist's impression of a Sun-like star exhibiting a superflare as seen in visible light. Credit: