Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media Tip Sheets
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media Tip Sheets

LIGO Livingston Detector Catches Binary Neutron Star Merger, Says Physics Professor

Thursday, April 25, 2019, By Daryl Lovell
Share
LIGOPhysics

Today, the LIGO Livingston detector and VIRGO detector captured another binary neutron star merger

Stefan Ballmer is an associate professor of physics at Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences. Below, he answers four key questions about the LIGO/VIRGO detection, and what it means for the greater world of physics.

Q: What is most significant about these findings?

Ballmer: “What we are really looking forward to is to get a stronger signal from the collision phase of the two neutron stars. That will tell us how nuclear matter behaves under these extreme conditions.

“This event was a little too far away for that. But it gives us a much better handle on the rate of such collisions. The upshot: if we just observe a little longer we will get the strong signal we are hoping for.”

—————-

Q: Can you break down what a binary neutron star merger is?

Ballmer: “A neutron star is an atomic nucleus the size of a city, but with the mass of a sun. We are observing the collision of two of these monsters at about half the speed of light.

“Since neutron stars still are made of matter (unlike black holes), we do expect to be able to see them optically as well, as was the case with GW170817, the first binary neutron star merger observed by LIGO.”

——————
Q: For someone not familiar with the physics world, why is this exciting?

Ballmer: “On a weekly basis we are now observing some of the most violent events in the universe, literally storms in space and time, shredding the remnants of stars. Black holes and neutron stars are no longer exotic hypothetical objects they once were, but the bread and butter of everyday science.

“This is also why the LIGO and Virgo collaborations now put out alerts as quickly as possible, in the hope that other astronomers can make complementary observations.

“In fact, you can download an app that alerts you within minutes whenever we see something interesting.” Link:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gravitational-wave-events/id1441897107

—————–

Q: How does this tie in or connect with (if at all) with the first black hole image that was released just a short while ago?

Ballmer: “Since the latest run (O3) started we have observed 3 black hole mergers, and this neutron star merger. That brings the total observed in all runs to 13 black hole mergers and 2 neutron star mergers.

“It is amazing that what was considered to be impossible just three and a half years ago – and was worth the 2017 Nobel prize – is now happening weekly.”

 

 

To request interviews or get more information:

Daryl Lovell
Media Relations Manager
Division of Marketing and Communications

T 315.443.1184   M 315.380.0206
dalovell@syr.edu | @DarylLovell

The Nancy Cantor Warehouse, 350 W. Fayette St., 2nd Fl., Syracuse, NY 13202
news.syr.edu | syracuse.edu

Syracuse University

  • Author
  • Faculty Experts

Daryl Lovell

  • Stefan Ballmer

  • Recent
  • Maxwell Welcomes International Professionals for Anti-Drug Trafficking Program
    Monday, August 25, 2025, By Jessica Youngman
  • Call for Focus Group Participants for Bird Library Assistive Technology Room
    Monday, August 25, 2025, By Cristina Hatem
  • Syracuse Views Fall 2025
    Monday, August 25, 2025, By News Staff
  • University’s Human Dynamics Programs Realign to Strengthen Collaboration and Community Impact
    Monday, August 25, 2025, By News Staff
  • Falk College of Sport Driving Innovation and Excellence in Sport-Related Industries (Podcast)
    Monday, August 25, 2025, By John Boccacino

More In Media Tip Sheets

‘Perception May Matter as Much as Reality’: Syracuse Professor on Paramount-Skydance Merger’s Cultural Impact

The merger of Paramount and Skydance created a major new player in Hollywood, and the new combined company is already making a splash with its purchase of the U.S. rights to air UFC fights. But the political undertones of the…

Expert Available for New Tariffs on India

This week, the White House announced that it was doubling tariffs to 50% on imports from India, due to the country buying oil from Russia. Reporters looking for an expert to discuss how these tariffs will impact global trade and…

Sport Management Professor Calls Historic First in MLB ‘Overdue’

As Major League Baseball prepares for a historic moment this weekend with Jen Pawol becoming the first woman to umpire a major league game, Falk College of Sport Professor Mary Graham calls it “overdue,” and emphasizes the broader implications for…

Q&A: Reflecting on the 80th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings, Lasting Impact

August marks 80 years since atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki—on Aug. 6 and 9, 1945—quickly bringing an end to World War II. At the time, the U.S. was calling for Japan’s unconditional surrender,…

Iran Escalation: Experts Available This Week

If you’re covering the latest developments with Iran and their impact on Israel, the U.S., China, Russia, global supply chains, and more, Syracuse University faculty experts are available for interviews this week. Below, you’ll find a list of experts along…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.