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](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/110221_ec_heavy-elements_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
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)