Kilanova

Description

A kilonova is defined as a (also called a macronova or r-process supernova) transient astronomical event that occurs in a compact binary system when two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole merge. Within this neutron-rich debris, large quantities of some of the universe’s heaviest elements were forged, including hundreds of Earth masses of gold and platinum. Many years ago, I took physics and astronomy and fell in love with all of the observable, documented process throughout our universe. Kilanova is my fifth design for the Automata Project. When designing Kilanova, having just studied the process of Kilanova events, I wanted to create two helical gears with a 1:1 ratio in the spur arrangement that simulated two neutron stars colliding with each other. After creating the two gears I laid out their centers on a piece of wood and started to create the base geometry to display the prototype.

Kilanova is a display of two helical tooth gears in the spur arrangement with 10 teeth, a 1:1 ratio. The gear movement is displayed between two bases created by using radii and tangents and features slots cut in the base to give it a mechanical look. The handle is a crank style handle designed to be parallel and flow with the base. The center of interest is where the two helical gears mesh.