Are the Highest Energy Particles in the Universe Made of Precious Metals?

The origin of the most energetic particles in the Universe—known as ultrahigh energy cosmic rays (UHECRs)—is one of astrophysics’ most perplexling mysteries. These particles are incredibly rare and powerful, traveling across space with energies far beyond what humans can generate on Earth. In this talk, the speaker presents a groundbreaking theory that traces the source of UHECRs to the merger of two neutron stars to form a black hole—cosmic events so extreme they create precious elements like gold and platinum and produce gravitational waves recently detected for the first time. Could the Universe’s most powerful particles be made of the same materials we treasure on Earth? This lecture explores the cutting-edge science behind a bold new answer to a decades-old question. Speaker Glennys Farrar, Professor of Physics, Silver Professor, NYU