Flares From Magnetized Stars Can Forge Planets’ Worth of Gold
Astronomers have identified a new source of heavy elements like gold and platinum, linked to giant flares from magnetars, a type of neutron star with extremely strong magnetic fields. These flares may account for up to 10% of the galaxy’s gold and other heavy elements. A notable event in December 2004 released energy equivalent to a million years of sunlight and produced heavy metals equivalent to a third of Earth’s mass.