Binary neutron star coalescence

3D ModelNoAI

Neutron stars form during supernova explosions of massive stars at the end of their life. These stars are the smallest and densest stars known to exist. When two neutron stars are gravitationally bound to each other in a binary system, they gradually spiral inward as time passes emitting gravitational waves. Finally they merge together producing an explosion known as kilonova. After the collision a huge amount of energy is released and a flash of light in the form of gamma-rays is emitted. As a result of the explosion, a blast wave propagates through the ambient environment producing emission at all wavelength bands. The model is an artist’s view of the collision of two neutron stars (the deformed blue spheres at the center of the scene). The model also describes the high-energy jets produced by the collision. Credits: INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo.