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https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171016102822.htm
Synopsis: The LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) -- the heads of which recently received the Nobel Prize for first measuring long theorized gravitational waves -- detected further gravitational waves that seemed to be how they predicted a neutron star merger would appear. Telescopes of various types around the world were then trained on the area of the sky from which these waves were detected. The telescopes subsequently observed massive gamma radiation that, again as predicted, would be a signature of a neutron merger. Visible radiation from this event also matched what physicists and astronomers predicted: the initial short-wavelength radiation given off by the heating of lighter elements gradually gave way to longer wavelengths, signifying fusion and the creation of heavy elements.
Cool stuff. Would be a great time to be in that field.
Edit: Further articles on the neutron star merger and gravitational waves:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171016102802.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171016102825.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171016122115.htm
https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/news/ligo20160211
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-missions-catch-first-light-from-a-gravitational-wave-event
Synopsis: The LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) -- the heads of which recently received the Nobel Prize for first measuring long theorized gravitational waves -- detected further gravitational waves that seemed to be how they predicted a neutron star merger would appear. Telescopes of various types around the world were then trained on the area of the sky from which these waves were detected. The telescopes subsequently observed massive gamma radiation that, again as predicted, would be a signature of a neutron merger. Visible radiation from this event also matched what physicists and astronomers predicted: the initial short-wavelength radiation given off by the heating of lighter elements gradually gave way to longer wavelengths, signifying fusion and the creation of heavy elements.
Cool stuff. Would be a great time to be in that field.
Edit: Further articles on the neutron star merger and gravitational waves:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171016102802.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171016102825.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171016122115.htm
https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/news/ligo20160211
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-missions-catch-first-light-from-a-gravitational-wave-event