[sparklite2]

One implication of this is that the likelihood of merging neutron stars is so low that earth's supply of heavy metals may be equally unlikely, with whatever impact that would have on life here and thus the likelihood of finding life outside the solar system.

[buwaya]

Interesting point.
If the Earth is unique, or at least very rare, then that is an answer to “why aren’t they here” about extraterrestrial intelligence.
On the other hand there doesn’t seem to be a direct or indirect connection between the prevalence of heavy metals and the formation of life or the development of intelligence.

[DannyTN]

Good, so if we just figure out how to merge neutron stars and harvest the heavy metals we should be able to keep nuclear plants running indefinitely.

[ETL]

"Neutron stars are created when giant stars die in supernovas and their cores collapse, with the protons and electrons essentially melting into each other to form neutrons."

"Neutron stars pack their mass inside a 12.4 miles diameter.
They are so dense that a single teaspoon would weigh a billion tons"

http://www.space.com/22180-neutron-stars.html

[DJ MacWoW]

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[muir_redwoods]

if gold, silver and platinum are rare because the forces that produce heavy elements are unusual, why is lead so cheap?