Astronomy
The Formation of Heavy Elements in Neutron Star Mergers
Quick fact
In 2017, astronomers observed a neutron star merger that produced an estimated 10 Earth masses of gold and platinum, confirming that these cosmic collisions are a major source of the universe's heaviest elements.
Why this is interesting
You know that gold on your finger? It wasn't forged in an ordinary star—it came from the colossal collision of two dead stars. How does a cosmic crash create precious metals?