On the Origin of Gold

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 suggested , and many believe, 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 here 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. Editorial Note: This “best of” APOD ran previously on 2011 September 11 . News Note: The next APOD will debut during an NSF discovery announcement and press briefing on Monday.