The Catastrophic Consequences of Neutron Star Collisions Revealed

Scientists have used advanced computer modeling to study the shape of kilonovas, the emission of light that follows the collision and merger of two neutron stars. The simulations revealed that kilonovas are filled with "blobs" or "bubbles" rather than smooth or disk-like shapes. Understanding neutron star collisions is important because they are believed to be the only sites in the universe capable of creating elements heavier than lead, including gold. The research provides insights into the densest material in the universe and has implications for particle physics and quantum chromodynamics. The simulations closely matched real-life observations of a kilonova known as AT2017gfo. Further simulations and observations are expected to provide more insights into the variations and characteristics of kilonovas.