A new study published on April 29, 2025, in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, provides compelling evidence that magnetar flares could be a significant source of heavy elements, such as gold and platinum, in the universe [1, 2, 3]. This research, led by Anirudh Patel from Columbia University, analyzed archival data from NASA and ESA telescopes, revealing that these highly magnetized neutron stars may have contributed up to 10% of the heavy elements in our galaxy [1, 3, 6, 9].
Unlocking the Mystery of Heavy Element Formation
For decades, scientists have sought to understand how elements heavier than iron were created and distributed throughout the cosmos [1, 2, 4, 10]. While events like neutron star collisions (kilonovas) and supernovae have been known to forge heavy elements, they occurred relatively late in the universe's history [3, 9]. This new study suggests that magnetar flares, which occurred much earlier, could be responsible for the first heavy elements, including gold [1, 3, 5, 9].
Magnetars are neutron stars with extremely powerful magnetic fields [1, 2, 4]. Occasionally, they experience starquakes, which fracture their crusts and release enormous bursts of high-energy radiation known as giant flares [1, 2, 5, 11]. Researchers have now linked these flares to the creation of heavy elements through a process of rapid neutron capture, where lighter atomic nuclei are transformed into heavier ones [3, 8, 9].
Implications and Future Research
The discovery that magnetar flares can produce heavy elements has significant implications for our understanding of the universe's chemical evolution [3, 5, 10]. NASA's upcoming Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) mission, scheduled for launch in 2027, will further investigate these phenomena [1, 3, 6, 8, 10]. COSI will study energetic events like magnetar flares and identify the specific elements created within them, providing valuable insights into the origins of precious metals and other heavy elements [1, 3, 6].