Neutron star collisions probably make more gold than other cosmic smashups

Run-ins between black holes and neutron stars aren’t as prolific at making heavy elements

illustration of two cars neutron stars colliding

Collisions of two neutron stars (illustrated) probably produce more of the universe’s heavy elements than similar collisions of a black hole and neutron star.

A. Simonnet/Sonoma State Univ., LIGO, NSF (edited by MIT News)

The cosmic origins of elements heavier than iron are mysterious.