Researchers from Columbia University examined the records of a giant Magnetar explosion observed in 2004. The gamma beam signal, which could not be fully solved at that time, almost overlaps with the theoretical model developed by scientists. This signal is thought to be a trace that shows the formation of heavy elements.
Magnetars are special species of neutron stars formed after supernova with very strong magnetic fields. A teaspoon of magnetar weighs about 1 billion tons in the world.
From time to time, ‘star shakes’ occurs on surfaces and a large amount of energy is released during these events. Researchers think that these giant explosions throw substances from the shell of the star and that this substance can turn into elements such as gold under necessary conditions.
NASA’s COSI (Compton spectrometer and viewer), which was planned to launch in 2027, will examine such giant magnets bursts. Thus, more precise information can be obtained about the origin of gold and other heavy elements.
