Coalescence of a binary containing two neutron stars can eject neutron-rich material and power a kilonova. Rapid neutron-capture process reactions in the ejecta produce heavy elements. This connects compact-binary dynamics to chemical enrichment.
An optical and infrared transient powered by radioactive decay in material ejected from a compact-object merger. Its evolving spectrum and light curve probe ejecta composition and rapid neutron-capture process production.
