The merger of two equal mass neutron stars is simulated using the 3-D code SNSPH. As the two stars merge, their outer edge ejects a spiral of neutron-rich material. The radioactivity in this ejected material is the primary power source for the optical and infrared light observed in the kilonova. A single hyper-massive neutron star remains at the center in a wide field of ejecta material. This hyper-massive neutron star will quickly collapse to a black hole.
It confirms Einstein's prediction that gravitational waves travel at the same speed as gamma rays: the speed of light. "As soon as I heard the news, I knew that understanding all of the implications would require input from a broad, multi-disciplinary set of scientists." - Chris Fryer Gravitational-wave observation confirms heavy-elements theory. LOS ALAMOS, N.M. Oct. 17, 2017-Astrophysicist Chris Fryer was enjoying an evening with friends on August 25, 2017, when he got the news of a gravitational-wave detection by LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory. The event appeared to be a merger of two neutron stars-a specialty for the Los Alamos National Laboratory team of astrophysicists that Fryer leads. As the distant cosmic cataclysm unfolded, fresh observational data was pouring in from the observation-only the fifth published since the observatory began operating almost two years ago. "As soon as I heard the news, I knew that understanding all of the implications would require input from a broad, multi-disciplinary set of scientists,” said Fryer, who leads Los Alamos' Center for Theoretical Astrophysics.
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