b'Las Campanas Observatory, Carnegie Institution for Science 17Discovery Image 4 Days LaterAugust 17, 2017 August 21, 2017 1M2H Collaboration/UC Santa Cruz/Carnegie ObservatoriesThis image shows a comparison of the neutron star merger discovery, Swope Supernova Survey 2017a (SSS17a), from the night of discovery, August 17, 2017, and four nights later, August 21. Image courtesy Tony Pironeutron stars collided. This highlights how Carnegie is uniquely positioned to bring theorists and observers together to better understand the universe.Following their discovery, the Carnegie group continued to observe over the next three weeks. These data revealed a red glow powered by radioactive decay of heavy elements, such as gold, platinum, and uranium, produced in the merger debris. Researchers have long been trying to understand the origin of these elements. With this neutron star merger and detection of the heavyMembers of the discovery team gave a talk about their work element synthesis, the final piece of this puzzle isto a group of Carnegie trustees and friends. Director of the now in place. Observatories John Mulchaey (left) introduced the observing team members: Tony Piro (second), Ben Shappee (third), and Maria Drought (fourth). Theorist Juna Kollmeier (right) was also involved The journal Science named this event the 2017in the work. Breakthrough of the Year.Image courtesy Cindy Hunt, Carnegie Institution for Science'