Neutron Star–Main Sequence Collisions Robustly Form Dynamically Stable Thorne–Żytkow Objects

Abstract Thorne–Żytkow objects (TŻOs) are hypothetical hybrid stars with a neutron star at the core of a large, diffuse envelope. TŻOs may be formed when a newly formed neutron star that is kicked by its supernova collides with its main-sequence companion. Using a moving-mesh hydrodynamics solver integrated into the parallel-code Charm N -body GrAvity solver, we demonstrate that these “impact scenario” formation processes robustly form TŻOs for periastron distances less than one stellar radius. These TŻOs are dynamically stable, and they can serve as initial models for further evolutionary studies.