Kilonovas and heavier elements

Forums General Discussion Supernovas & Kilinovas Kilonovas and heavier elements

#583372
Richard Miles
Participant

Just checked on the definition – Yes – A kilonova (also called a macronova or r-process supernova) is a transient astronomical event that occurs in a compact binary system when two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole merge into each other.

I think the idea that only standard supernovae are where these elements are forged is rapidly going out of date helped by the incredible findings from the new science of gravitational-wave astronomy. It will be especially interesting to learn more about the very early universe and whether scope existed for creating heavy elements by collisions when space-time was much more condensed.