Where Does Gold Come From? NASA Data Has Clues

For thousands of years, gold has captivated human interest, representing wealth, authority, and aesthetic appeal. However, have you ever considered the source of gold? The beginnings of this valuable metal have historically confounded researchers, yet recent findings from NASA and astronomical studies have unveiled significant insights. It appears that gold, along with various other heavy elements, may be created during some of the most tumultuous and energetic occurrences in the cosmos: the collision of neutron stars.

The Cosmic Origins of Gold

For many years, it was widely accepted among scientists that gold and other heavy elements originated from supernovae, which are the explosive endings of large stars. Although supernovae do generate certain heavy elements, they might not be the main contributors. Current research suggests that the mergers of neutron stars are significantly responsible for the cosmic formation of gold.

Neutron stars represent the extraordinarily dense remnants of stars that have undergone collapse, containing a mass greater than that of the Sun within a sphere approximately 12 miles (20 kilometers) in diameter. The collision of two neutron stars results in the release of a tremendous amount of energy, creating ideal conditions for rapid neutron capture (r-process), which is a sequence of nuclear reactions responsible for the formation of heavy elements such as gold, platinum, and uranium.

NASA’s Role in Uncovering the Mystery

In 2017, a significant event was detected by NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope along with other observatories: a collision of neutron stars located approximately 130 million light-years from Earth. This event, designated GW170817, was observed through both gravitational waves—ripples in spacetime identified by LIGO and Virgo—and various electromagnetic signals, including gamma rays, X-rays, and visible light.

The findings indicated a remarkable phenomenon—the merger resulted in a kilonova, an explosion that released substantial quantities of heavy elements. Spectroscopic examination validated the existence of gold and various other precious metals, implying that a solitary neutron star collision could generate hundreds of Earth masses of gold.

How Much Gold Comes from Neutron Star Collisions?

Researchers estimate that a single merger of neutron stars can release between 3 and 13 times the mass of Earth in gold. Due to the infrequency of these occurrences, scientists theorize that over the course of billions of years, numerous mergers may have contributed to the distribution of gold and other heavy elements throughout the Milky Way, accounting for their prevalence on Earth.

Remarkably, this implies that the gold found in your jewelry or smartphone probably originated from a catastrophic cosmic event that took place long before the formation of our solar system.

Other Possible Sources of Gold

Although neutron star mergers are currently regarded as the primary explanation, other cosmic phenomena may also play a role.

 Supernovae: Gold continues to be generated during supernova explosions, albeit in lesser amounts.

 Magnetars: which are highly magnetic neutron stars, have the potential to produce heavy elements under specific conditions.

 Collisions between black holes and neutron stars: These infrequent occurrences may also generate r-process elements.

Nevertheless, based on existing evidence, collisions of neutron stars continue to be the most effective and thoroughly documented source.

Why Does This Discovery Matter?

Comprehending the origins of gold extends beyond mere scientific inquiry; it carries significant implications.

1. Astrophysics: Provides insights into the distribution of heavy elements throughout the universe.

2. Cosmology: Offers understanding of the occurrence of neutron star mergers and their significance in the evolution of galaxies.

3. Future Space Missions: Assists NASA and other organizations in the creation of advanced telescopes for the observation of additional kilonovae.

Conclusion

Due to the sophisticated telescopes developed by NASA and collaborative efforts on a global scale, we now possess substantial evidence indicating that gold is formed through the catastrophic collisions of neutron stars. These astronomical phenomena, taking place millions or even billions of light-years from Earth, have contributed to the formation of the fundamental elements that constitute our planet and our physical forms.

The next time you grasp a gold ring or coin, bear in mind that you are in possession of a fragment from a remote, ancient cosmic explosion, created in one of the universe's most extreme conditions.