Stellar collapse and explosions distribute gold throughout the universe

Magnetar flares may be responsible for creating and distributing up to 10% of heavy elements like gold and uranium in the Milky Way, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed archival data from a powerful magnetar flare observed 20 years ago, finding evidence that these events could produce heavy elements through the r-process. This discovery has implications for understanding galactic chemical evolution and the formation of exoplanetary systems.