Gravitational Wave Detectors May Find Neutron Stars Lighter Than White Dwarfs

Scientists used data from the LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave observatories to search for low-mass neutron stars with less than 1.4 solar masses. While none have been found yet, the study suggests that such neutron stars could form due to the rapid compression of the core during a supernova explosion. This research provides new constraints on the properties of neutron star matter and the mass limits of neutron stars. More sensitive gravitational wave detectors in the future will further test this theory.