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Credit & Copyright: Dana Berry,
NASA
Explanation:
Where did the
gold
in your jewelry originate?
No one is completely sure.
The relative average abundance in our
Solar System appears higher than can be made in the
early universe, in
stars, and even in typical
supernova explosions.
Some
astronomers
have
recently suggested that neutron-rich heavy
elements such as
gold might be most easily
made in rare
neutron-rich
explosions such as the
collision of neutron stars.
Pictured above is an artist's illustration depicting two
neutron stars spiraling in toward each other, just before they
collide.
Since neutron star collisions are also suggested as the origin of
short
duration
gamma-ray bursts,
it is possible that you already own a souvenir from one of the most
powerful explosions in the universe.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: gold - gamma-ray burst - supernova
Publications with words: gold - gamma-ray burst - supernova
See also:
- APOD: 2023 October 11 Á NGC 1097: Spiral Galaxy with Supernova
- APOD: 2023 July 9 Á Doomed Star Eta Carinae
- APOD: 2023 May 22 Á Supernova Discovered in Nearby Spiral Galaxy M101
- Supernova Cannon Expels Pulsar J0002
- SN Requiem: A Supernova Seen Three Times So Far
- NGC 7814: Little Sombrero with Supernova
- Supernova in NGC 2525