Entropy, complexity and disequilibrium in compact stars

We used the statistical measurements of information entropy, disequilibrium and complexity to infer a hierarchy of equations of state for two types of compact stars from the broad class of neutron stars, namely, with hadronic composition and with strange quark composition. Our results show that, since order costs energy, Nature would favor the exotic strange stars even though the question of how to form the strange stars cannot be answered within this approach. -- Highlights: ► We study hadronic and strange "neutron stars" using information theory measures. ► These measures help to point out which kind of neutron star is preferred by Nature. ► Hadronic and strange stars show different behavior of the measures with the radius. ► The interplay of forces inside the stars suggests that quark matter is favored.