Colliding neutron stars: what do gravitational waves and electromagnetic flashes tell us about physics at the extremes?

4. Juli 2024

Foto: Adobe Stock © Artsiom P

Where in the cosmos were the heaviest elements forged? What are the densest forms of matter in the Universe? What happens when two neutron stars collide? What do their observable signals tell us about so-far incompletely understood physics?

These questions are major motivations behind the ERC Advanced Grant project “INSPIRATION: From inspiral to kilonova”. We aim to achieve consistent modelling of neutron star mergers, from before the collision up to weeks later, to understand the extreme physics (e.g. strong spacetime curvature, high densities, and temperatures) that shape the resulting gravitational wave and electromagnetic emission.

Continue to the full article. from PRj. Vol.20 (https://doi.org/10.54050/PR2021873) or download the pdf.