• Magnetar flares are now identified as a source of heavy elements like gold and platinum.
• The discovery explains a mysterious gamma-ray glow observed after a 2004 magnetar flare.
• Magnetar flares could account for up to 10% of the heavy elements in our galaxy and explain the presence of these elements in young galaxies.

A long-standing mystery in astronomy has been solved with the discovery that giant flares from magnetars, a type of neutron star with extremely strong magnetic fields, can produce heavy elements such as gold and platinum. This revelation came after scientists re-examined a massive eruption from a magnetar in December 2004, which initially baffled researchers due to a delayed gamma-ray signal. New research shows that this signal was the result of the formation of heavy elements during the magnetar flare, providing a new understanding of how these elements are distributed throughout the universe and particularly in young, metal-poor galaxies.

• What: Giant flares from magnetars, highly magnetized neutron stars, produce heavy elements like gold and platinum through a process called r-process nucleosynthesis during the cooling and expansion of ejected matter. This process explains a previously mysterious gamma-ray afterglow observed after a magnetar flare in 2004.
• Who: Key individuals involved include J. Cehula, Brian Metzger (Flatiron Institute and Columbia University), and A. Patel, along with teams at the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Astrophysics and Columbia University.
• When: The initial magnetar flare occurred in December 2004. The research confirming the origin of the gamma-ray glow was published recently in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. NASA’s COSI mission is set to launch in 2027 to further study these events.
• Where: The events occur in distant galaxies where magnetars reside. The research was conducted at the Flatiron Institute in New York and Columbia University.

This discovery significantly advances our understanding of the origins of heavy elements in the universe. Previously, supernovae and neutron star mergers were considered the primary sources. The identification of magnetar flares as another source helps explain the abundance of heavy elements in young, metal-poor galaxies, which could not be fully accounted for by the rarity and delayed occurrence of neutron star mergers. The upcoming COSI mission represents a crucial step in confirming these findings through real-time observation of gamma-ray fingerprints from radioactive isotopes.

That event had kind of been forgotten over the years. But we very quickly realized that our model was a perfect fit for it.

These giant flares could be the solution to a long-standing problem. They help explain the high levels of heavy elements we see in young galaxies.

We can't exclude that there could be third or fourth sites out there. This is just the beginning.

It’s pretty incredible to think that some of the heavy elements all around us, like the precious metals in our phones and computers, are produced in these crazy extreme environments.

The identification of magnetar flares as a source of heavy elements like gold and platinum marks a significant breakthrough in astrophysics. It resolves the mystery surrounding the gamma-ray afterglow observed after the 2004 magnetar flare and provides a plausible explanation for the presence of heavy elements in young galaxies. While further research is needed to explore other potential sources, the upcoming COSI mission promises to provide real-time confirmation of these findings, ushering in a new era for elemental astronomy.