The Scientific Breakthrough Of 2017 Discovery of Two Neutron Stars Colliding

The first-ever observation of cataclysmic collision of two ultra-dense neutron stars, which generated infinitesimal ripples in the fabric of space and time called gravitational waves, has been voted the biggest Scientific Breakthrough of the year 2017.  The event took place 130 million light years away, and it was detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), located in the US and the Virgo detector, located in Italy via the gravitational waves it generated.

Experts say the event, also known as Kilonova, is responsible for producing as much as half of the universe’s neutron-rich heavy elements such as gold, platinum, uranium and mercury. 3674 researchers from 953 institutions contributed on a single paper summarising the findings – and it was the most studied event in the history of astronomy.

Source: Science

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