Binary Neutron Stars: Cosmic Partners in Destruction

Binary neutron stars are pairs of ultra-dense stellar remnants orbiting each other.
Their orbits gradually shrink as they lose energy through gravitational waves.
When they finally merge, they unleash titanic explosions called kilonovae.
These mergers forge heavy elements like gold, platinum, and uranium.
The 2017 detection of a binary neutron star collision confirmed this cosmic alchemy.
Their crashes also produce powerful bursts of gamma rays.
LIGO and Virgo observatories can “hear” their inspiraling dance in gravitational waves.
Some binary neutron stars evolve into pulsar pairs, flashing signals across space.
Their violent unions may even leave behind a black hole.
Studying them reveals both the physics of extreme matter and the origins of precious metals.