GW170817

GW170817 is the designation for a gravitational wave signal detected in August 2017, resulting from the collision of two neutron stars—the dense remnants of massive stars. This event marked the first time scientists observed both gravitational waves and electromagnetic signals, like light and gamma rays, from the same cosmic merger. It confirmed that neutron star collisions produce short gamma-ray bursts and heavy elements like gold and platinum. The discovery provided valuable insights into the universe’s expansion, the origins of heavy elements, and validated key aspects of Einstein’s theory of gravity in extreme conditions.