Kilonovas are bright bursts of electromagnetic radiation that occur when two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole collide and merge. These cosmic explosions eject a vast amount of material rich in heavy elements such as gold, platinum, and uranium. By studying kilonovas, scientists can gain insights into the formation of these elements and the nuclear physics involved. Detecting kilonovas is challenging, but advancements in gravitational wave detectors have allowed astronomers to locate and observe these events, providing valuable information about the universe's evolution.
Astronomers have discovered a population of stars that represent the "missing link" in the evolution of binary systems that eventually become colliding neutron stars, known as kilonovas. These stars, called intermediate-mass stripped helium stars, fill the helium-star mass gap and are crucial for the dispersion of heavy elements throughout the universe. The researchers detected 25 possible examples of these stars, which will eventually undergo ultra-stripped supernova explosions and merge into neutron star binaries. The study sheds light on the physical properties of these elusive stars and may help solve the puzzle of their appearance.
