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The Fascinating Collision of Neutron Stars
Stargazing often leaves us pondering the undiscovered mysteries of the universe. One such spectacle was the collision of two neutron stars in 2017. This unprecedented event shed light on the potential of gravitational wave detection. Originally theorized by Einstein in 1916, gravitational waves are ripples in space-time caused by significant cosmic events. However, their direct observation remained elusive until 2015, when two black holes collided.
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In 2017, researchers documented a neutron star collision. Despite their modest size, neutron stars are the universe’s densest objects without an event horizon. The collision’s aftermath yielded a gold and platinum cloud, equivalent to 200 and 500 Earth masses respectively. This discovery emphasizes the exciting potential of gravitational wave detection.
A Relic from a Supernova
Not all stars remain bound by the Milky Way’s gravity. Some, known as “fast-moving stars,” hurtle through space at such speeds they escape the galaxy’s gravitational pull. The reason behind their speed varies. However, a recent discovery by Boston University experts introduced a white dwarf-like object believed to be a remnant of a Type 1a supernova. Such supernovas occur when a white dwarf in a binary system becomes unstable and detonates. In this case, the dwarf wasn’t wholly destroyed. The observed remnant, moving at 510 miles per second, is intriguing, and future studies aim to uncover its mysteries.
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