NASA | Colliding Neutron Stars Create Black Hole and Gamma-ray Burst

Gamma ray bursts are the universe's brightest explosions, often linked to black hole births. Long bursts result from massive star deaths, while short bursts, once mysterious, are now linked to neutron star collisions. These dense stars, when merging, form black holes and release energy. Simulations show how their magnetic fields organize into jets, confirming their role in short gamma ray bursts.

What is the primary cause of gamma ray bursts that last longer than two seconds?

• The explosion of a supernova

• The death of a massive star

• The collision of two black holes

• The formation of a new galaxy

What remains after a star several times the mass of the sun collapses and explodes?

• A neutron star

• A supernova remnant

• A white dwarf

• A black hole

How dense is a neutron star compared to everyday objects?

• As dense as a mountain

• As dense as a sugar cube

• As dense as a grain of sand

• As dense as all the water in the Great Lakes

What role does the Damiana supercomputer play in understanding gamma ray bursts?

• It calculates the mass of black holes

• It detects gamma ray bursts in the sky

• It simulates the merging of neutron stars

• It measures the speed of light

What is the significance of the white magnetic field in the simulation?

• It indicates the presence of a black hole

• It shows the formation of a new star

• It takes on the character of a jet

• It represents the density of the plasma