One of the most mysterious anomalies in astrophysics has received an unexpected and simple explanation. For years, scientists could not understand where the silver on the Sun had gone, but a new study shows: the precious metal was there all along, we just looked for it in the wrong way.
Previously, it was believed that the silver content on our star was significantly lower than in the oldest meteorites, which, according to the laws of physics, should have a similar chemical composition. This discrepancy had stumped astronomers for decades.
An error in calculations, not in nature
A study published in the prestigious journal Astronomy and Astrophysics proved that the discrepancy arose due to inaccuracies in previous observations. Scientists used overly simplified models to describe the solar atmosphere and did not fully understand how silver atoms interact with light.
Every chemical element leaves its unique "trace" in rays of light. When sunlight passes through gas atoms, special bands are formed — a kind of fingerprints by which astronomers identify elements from millions of kilometers away. However, old methods did not allow for the correct interpretation of these signals for silver.
Result: 55% more
Creating a new, more detailed model, researchers saw the real picture. It turned out that there is approximately 55 percent more silver on the Sun than previously thought. Notably, this discovery did not require new equipment for the scientists — they simply recalculated old data using more accurate formulas.
"These new data are very important, as the Sun is the main benchmark for astronomers. If we do not fully understand its composition, we will not be able to correctly assess other stars and planets," explained the author of the study, Sema Chalikhan from the University of Liège in Belgium.
Where are metals born?
Solving this mystery is significant not only for the Sun. Now, scientists plan to test this method on other stars in the Milky Way. This will help understand exactly where precious metals are born in the Universe and how they are distributed in space over time. Meteorites, acting as своеобразными "time capsules" from the moment of the birth of the Solar System, now once again confirm their similarity to the native star.
