New insights into hypernuclei flow at RHIC from first measurements.

Physicists at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) have observed the directed flow of hypernuclei, which contain at least one "hyperon" in addition to ordinary protons and neutrons. These hyperons contain at least one "strange" quark and are thought to be abundant in the hearts of neutron stars. By comparing the flow of hypernuclei with that of similar ordinary nuclei made only of nucleons, scientists hope to gain insight into interactions between the hyperons and nucleons and understand the inner structure of neutron stars.