Making All the Gold in the Universe

Heavy elements may be forged in the nuclear furnaces of stars, or in titanic supernova eruptions. But, the source of much of the gold in the Universe is unexplained... Until now...

Neutron star collisions were thought to make much of the gold in the Universe, but something else is making a lot of the precious metal…

In 2017, astronomers witnessed a collision between two neutron stars — the ultradense corpses of massive stars. Analysis seemed to reveal the formation of all elements heavier than iron — including gold — are forged in these titanic collisions.

A new study shows these collisions can not deliver anywhere near enough gold to account for the concentrations we see around the Cosmos.

“Neutron star mergers did not produce enough heavy elements in the early life of the Universe, and they still don’t now, 14 billion years later,” said astrophysicist Amanda Karakas of Monash University and the ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D) in Australia.

Read more: https://thecosmiccompanion.net/making-all-the-gold-in-the-universe

Coming September 29: A dual interview from Melbourne, Australia and London, England! Dr. Amanda Karakas of Monash University and Dr. Chiaki Kobayashi of the University of Hertforshire talk about their work showing how much of the gold in the Universe formed.

Ask your questions for the researchers, and it may be read on the show!