Scientists Directly Measure a Key Reaction in Neutron Star Binaries
Department of Energy, Office of ScienceX-ray bursts occur on the surface of a neutron star as it absorbs material from a companion star. This absorption initiates a cascade of thermonuclear reactions that create atoms of heavy chemical elements on the surface of a neutron star. Researchers have directly measured one of these reactions, finding it to be four times higher than the previous direct measurement.