New Gold Source? Scientists Find Clues in Magnetar Flares

Scientists have found new evidence that gold, a precious metal, may be created in a different way than previously thought.

They observed a powerful burst of energy from a magnetar, a type of neutron star with an incredibly strong magnetic field.

After the burst, the magnetar emitted gamma rays, which provided hints of the r-process, a process that creates heavy elements like gold.

This discovery suggests that magnetars might also produce gold, adding to the known source of gold created by colliding neutron stars.

This helps scientists understand how elements formed in the universe and the evolution of galaxies and stars.