How Fast Is Neutron Star Merger?

Two neutron stars merging spiral inward at up to 50% the speed of light at the moment of collision. These mergers are the cosmic factory for heavy elements: all the gold, platinum, and uranium on Earth came from such collisions an extraordinarily long time ago.

All the gold and platinum on Earth came from neutron star mergers — extraordinary cosmic events scattering heavy elements through space.

• All Earth's gold came from these collisions
• Collision detected as gravitational waves in 2017