China-US astronomy team may have found possible relic of a recent ‘gold factory’

A recent study by researchers from China and the United States suggests that a mysterious glow of high-energy light in our Milky Way galaxy may be the remnants of a rare cosmic "gold factory." The potential discovery stems from the collision of two orbiting neutron stars, which may have shone as brightly as Jupiter in the night sky.

The violent collision released atoms and a flood of neutrons, which combined to form some of the universe's heaviest elements, such as gold, platinum, and uranium. The resulting wreckage collapsed into a black hole. The researchers, led by Prantik Sarmah from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, propose that the glowing cloud left behind by the collision is still relatively small and bright, indicating that it is a young remnant.

However, no records exist of this event, including those from Chinese astronomers who kept meticulous sky records for centuries. The team suggests that the flash was likely very brief and faded within days, and its southern location may have made it difficult to observe from certain parts of the world with detailed records. Despite its proximity to Earth, the blast would have posed no danger to people on the planet.

The discovery would be the first known remains of a neutron star collision within our galaxy. The research team also proposes that future telescopes, such as the Chinese MeV Gamma-Ray Observatory, could detect the faint glow of radioactive elements still present from the collision. Additionally, looking for light from the original flash that has bounced off dust and is still reaching Earth could provide further evidence.