Full 3D Numerical Relativity Simulations of Neutron Star -- Boson Star Collisions with BAM

Understand

With the first direct detections of gravitational waves (GWs) from the coalescence of compact binaries observed by the advanced LIGO and VIRGO interferometers, the era of GW astronomy has begun.

• Whilst there is strong evidence that the observed GWs are connected to the merger of two black holes (BH) or two neutron stars (NS), future detections may present a less consistent picture.
• Indeed, the possibility that the observed GW signal was created by a merger of exotic compact objects (ECOs) such as boson stars (BS) or axion stars (AS) has not yet been fully excluded.
• For a detailed understanding of the late stages of the coalescence full 3D numerical relativity simulations are essential.