Do Dying Stars Release Gold And Platinum? The Latest Research Gives Mixed Answers.

Two Neutron Stars Collide: A Spectacular Cosmic Event

In October 2017, astronomers witnessed a monumental event—two neutron stars colliding. This kilonova, situated 130 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra, created vast amounts of silver, gold, and platinum. It produced about 50 Earth masses of silver, 100 Earth masses of gold, and 500 Earth masses of platinum. The scientists estimated that the gold alone was worth more than $100 octillion. That’s $100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (1 followed by 29 zeroes).

James Webb Space Telescope Sheds New Light

A recent study using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope examined another cosmic event: a massive star's collapse in 2002. This event, known as the B.O.A.T., the brightest gamma-ray burst recorded, failed to show traces of heavy elements like gold or platinum. Northwestern University's Peter Blanchard highlighted that these findings question previous assumptions about how heavy elements form.

Implications of the Discovery

The study implies that not all stellar collapses or gamma-ray bursts produce heavy elements. The discovery challenges existing theories and invites further observations. Ashley Villar from Harvard remarked on the surprising lack of heavy metals, which contradicts earlier expectations.

A Rare Cosmic Phenomenon

The B.O.A.T. explosion, which occurred around 2 billion light-years away in Sagitta, was one of the most luminous ever and only happens about once every 10,000 years. Its high-energy emissions tested our detection capabilities, illustrating the advanced technology that allows us to observe such distant cosmic events.

This intriguing contrast between the 2017 kilonova and the 2002 gamma-ray burst offers valuable insights into the processes that may or may not lead to the creation of precious metals in the universe. Future studies with JWST will further explore these cosmic mysteries.

Read More About Cosmic Origins of Gold Here: Yellow Gold: From Cosmic Origins to Timeless Elegance ? Gems And Jewelry (mensjewlery.org)