"Deciphering the Golden Kilonova: How Neutron Star Collisions Forge Cosmic Riches"

Astronomers have developed a new simulation tool that accurately predicts the outcomes of neutron star collisions, matching observations from the 2017 event detected by LIGO/Virgo. Neutron stars, incredibly dense remnants of supernovae, often exist in binary systems and eventually collide, emitting gravitational waves. The international research team, including the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics and the University of Potsdam, combined various data sources, including X-ray and radio signals, to refine their model. The successful simulation offers insights into the formation of heavy elements under extreme conditions and will be used to analyze future neutron star mergers.