This mini-workshop brings together researchers working at the intersection of numerical relativity and relativistic astrophysics to explore how simulations help understanding astrophysical transients and element formationin the Universe. Focusing on compact binary mergers and stellar explosions, we will discuss state-of-the-art methods for modeling kilonovae, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), and other high-energy transients.
Through a combination of talks and discussion sessions, participants will examine how advances in computational techniques help bridge theory and observation, improving our understanding of the physical processes that power these extreme events.
A central goal of the workshop is to highlight key open questions in the field: What are the dominant mechanisms shaping electromagnetic counterparts of mergers? How do microphysical processes—such as neutrino transport, magnetic field amplification, and radiation transfer—impact observable signatures? What limits current simulations, and how can they be overcome to achieve predictive power across scales? By addressing these challenges, the workshop aims to foster collaboration and identify promising directions for the next generation of transient sky modeling.
