Waves of joy: why astronomers are ecstatic about colliding neutron stars

Press/Media: Press / Media

Description

Every few years, a discovery is announced that makes scientists so excited they could explode – consider the rockstar coverage that greeted the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012, or the triumphant global cheer when Curiosity landed safely on Mars in the same year.

On 16 October 2017 the announcement of another science spectacle swept the world: for the first time, astronomers had been treated to the cosmic fireworks of colliding neutron stars. They could both listen – thanks to gravitational waves – and watch – thanks to electromagnetic waves. Astronomers the world over were catapulted into a frenzy. Here are five reasons why…

Period22 Dec 2017

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleWaves of joy: why astronomers are ecstatic about colliding neutron stars
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletCosmos magazine
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date22/12/17
    DescriptionEvery few years, a discovery is announced that makes scientists so excited they could explode – consider the rockstar coverage that greeted the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012, or the triumphant global cheer when Curiosity landed safely on Mars in the same year.
    On 16 October 2017 the announcement of another science spectacle swept the world: for the first time, astronomers had been treated to the cosmic fireworks of colliding neutron stars. They could both listen – thanks to gravitational waves – and watch – thanks to electromagnetic waves. Astronomers the world over were catapulted into a frenzy. Here are five reasons why…
    Producer/AuthorLauren Fuge
    URLhttps://cosmosmagazine.com/space/waves-of-joy-why-astronomers-are-ecstatic-about-colliding-neutron-stars
    PersonsDavid Coward