Here’s how a collision of star remnants launches a gleaming jet

A groundbreaking computer simulation has provided new insights into the cosmic ballet of neutron stars merging. When two neutron stars of unequal mass collide, the clash is not just a spectacular event but a complex process that ultimately leads to the formation of a black hole. This simulation offers a rare glimpse into the mechanics of such collisions, revealing the intricate dynamics at play. As the two dense stellar remnants spiral towards each other, their gravitational forces intensify, culminating in a high-energy merger. The simulation captures the moment when these neutron stars coalesce, their combined mass reaching a critical threshold. At this point, a black hole emerges, marking the end of the neutron stars' individual existences but the beginning of another cosmic phenomenon. The newly formed black hole doesn't just quietly settle into the fabric of space. Instead, it becomes the source of a dazzling jet of high-energy matter. This jet, a byproduct of the immense gravitational forces and magnetic fields at work, is ejected at nearly the speed of light. Such jets are of great interest to astronomers, as they hold clues to understanding the extreme physics governing our universe.

— Authored by Next24 Live