binary neutron star systems

Binary neutron star systems consist of two ultra-dense remnants of massive stars orbiting each other. Neutron stars are incredibly compact, with masses about 1.4 times that of the Sun compressed into a sphere roughly 20 kilometers wide. When they are in a binary system, their mutual gravitational attraction causes them to orbit closely, gradually spiraling inward over time. As they approach, they emit intense gravitational waves—ripples in spacetime—that can be detected on Earth. Eventually, they may collide and merge, producing a burst of gravitational waves and electromagnetic signals, offering insights into extreme physics and the origins of heavy elements like gold and platinum.