The Secrets of the Universe | When Neutron Stars Collide | COSMOS in a minute #17 @TheSecretsoftheUniverse | Uploaded May 2023 | Updated October 2024, 4 days ago.
The collision of two neutron stars is one of the most exciting events in space. As the neutron stars approach each other, they generate gravitational waves, ripples that stretch and squeeze the universe itself. These waves tell us that something amazing is about to happen. When the two stars finally crash together, they result in a kilonova, an explosion so powerful that it creates the very elements that make up our world. Gold, platinum, and other heavy elements are produced in this explosion. The universe is showered with raw materials that will one-day form stars, planets, and even life itself. But the kilonova's grand finale is shrouded in mystery. Some believe that the collision births a black hole, while others suggest that it results in the formation of a hypermassive neutron star that can barely hold itself together against the strong pull of gravity.

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