Neutron star merger remnants

Abstract

Binary neutron star mergers observations are a unique way to constrain fundamental physics and astrophysics at the extreme. The interpretation of gravitational-wave events and their electromagnetic counterparts crucially relies on general-relativistic models of the merger remnants. Quantitative models can be obtained only by means of numerical relativity simulations in 3 + 1 dimensions including detailed input physics for the nuclear matter, electromagnetic and weak interactions. This review summarizes the current understanding of merger remnants focusing on some of the aspects that are relevant for multimessenger observations.