Tiny Magnetic Flips Solve a Decades-Old Space Mystery and Unlock Secrets of the Stars

Photo: Ján Čorba / Unsplash
By discovering that protons and neutrons flip their internal magnets inside atomic nuclei, scientists have finally explained a long-standing mystery involving low-energy gamma rays. This breakthrough will significantly improve our understanding of nuclear reactions on Earth and how heavy elements are forged during spectacular neutron star mergers.
By discovering that protons and neutrons flip their internal magnets inside atomic nuclei, scientists have finally explained a long-standing mystery involving low-energy gamma rays. This breakthrough will significantly improve our understanding of nuclear reactions on Earth and how heavy elements are forged during spectacular neutron star mergers.