We are also Neutron Star Stuff

One may have heard the famous quote by Carl Sagan, “We are starstuff?” This statement refers to the idea that all of the elements that make up our bodies apart from hydrogen and helium are producec either in stars or as a result of stars. There is a new twist on this story thanks to one very recent discovery. Just last week it was announced that we have made the first detection of the head-on collision of two neutron stars. The detection was made in the form gravity waves as well as by high energy gamma rays, X-rays, optical, infrared and radio light. This blog is about the neutron stars. Neutron stars are not stars at all, but rather are the ultra-dense remains of massive stars which have already exploded most of their material away in a supernova that took place earlier in its storied history. Neutron stars are made of neutrons, have a mass typically larger than that of … Continue reading →

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