Strong and Weak Interactions in Compact Stars

Compact (or neutron) stars represent the endpoints of the evolution of ordinary massive stars. They are natural astrophysical laboratories for particle and nuclear physics, under conditions that are very different from those in terrestrial laboratories. Recent observations of gravitational waves from binary neutron star mergers, association of magnetars with the enigmatic fast radio-bursts, progress in X-ray and radio observations of variety of types of neutron stars, both isolated and in binaries puts compact stars at the forefront of research in astrophysics, nuclear physics and physics of weak interactions.

The purpose of this collection is to give a broad overview of recent advances in the study of the nuclear equation of state, the composition of superdense matter, the physics of compact stars and many facets of weak interactions in stellar environments. A further aim is to show the synergetic combination of weak and strong interactions that affect the evolution of compact stars, from supernova explosions to formation of proto-neutron stars to gravitational wave signals in neutron star mergers and post-merger object.

This Research Topic collects original articles containing genuinely new results and review articles which give a specific expert overview of a sub-field of neutron stars. There are no thematic limitations as long as the general scope of compact stars and weak interactions is met.

Keywords: Weak interactions, Compact objects, Neutron stars, Nuclear matter, High energy astrophysics, Neutrino physics

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.