Has LIGO detected the collision of two neutron stars?

For the first time, scientists have directly detected gravitational waves — ripples in space-time — in addition to light from the spectacular collision of two neutron stars. This marks the first time that a cosmic event has been viewed in both gravitational waves and light. The discovery was made using the U.S. read more

If it really was a fusion of neutron stars at the distance of the Andromeda galaxy, LIGO should have detected it. But it didn’t, meaning either the interpretation was wrong or the fusion ocurred much further away. Subsequently an upgraded LIGO has detected two gravitational wave events - in December 2015 and June 2016. read more

But neutron stars are full of stuff, matter packed at the density of Mount Everest in a teaspoon. When neutron stars slam together, all kinds of things burst out: gamma rays, X-rays, radio waves. Something for everyone who has a window on the sky. read more

Neutron Star Merger Seen in Gravity and Matter . Virgo Helps Localize Gravitational-Wave Signals . GW170817: A Global Astronomy Event . Artist’s illustration of two merging neutron stars. LIGO's data shows the "chirp" sound produced as the two neutron stars inspiral. read more