The transformation of neutrinos in a neutron star merger could be crucial to shaping the way events of the collision unfold.

For the first time, a team of physicists has simulated how neutrinos change their flavors during a merger event. Their results show that tweaking the parameters and outcomes of these transformations also alters the outcomes of the merger, including the heavy r-process elements such as gold and platinum produced in the violent kilonova explosion.

In fact, when neutrino transformations are removed from the simulation entirely, heavy element production is lower by up to an entire order of magnitude.

Related: For The First Time, a Heavy Element Has Been Detected Forming in a Neutron Star Merger

"Previous simulations of binary neutron star mergers have not

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