Astrophysicists trace the origin of valuable metals in space, from colliding stars to merging galaxies

Gold and platinum are found in space, created when two stars collide. Astrophysicists can even trace this process further back, to the merger of galaxies.

By: Simone Dichiara, Penn State and Eleonora Troja, University of Rome Tor Vergata, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 10, 2026

Words: 788

Last Updated: 4 months, 4 weeks ago

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By Simone Dichiara, Penn State and Eleonora Troja, University of Rome Tor Vergata

Billions of light years away in a remote part of the universe, two neutron stars – the ultradense remnants of dead stars – collided. The catastropic cosmic event sent light and particles, including a sudden flash of gamma rays, streaming through the universe. These gamma rays traveled for 8.5 billion years before reaching Earth.

In a new study,

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