
Space
NASA Detects Gold Forged in Record-Distance Kilonova
Merging neutron stars produced heavy elements including gold in a kilonova 8.5 billion light-years away, the most distant gamma-ray burst ever seen.
Key Takeaways
- Most distant gamma-ray burst detected at 8.5 billion light-years
- Neutron star merger produced gold and platinum via rapid neutron capture
- Event occurred in unusual location — a tidal stream between merging galaxies
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