A collision between two neutron stars is emitting mysterious X-rays—and astronomers are getting closer to pinning down the source
One theory is that the rays might be the result of a phenomenon called a kilonova afterglow. This occurs when debris from the neutron star collision moves so fast that it creates a sort of galactic “sonic boom,” according to“That shock heats up the material…and that material then introduces this kilonova afterglow,” Hajela says. That hot material could then emit the X-rays scientists observed.
The second theory is that a black hole was produced in the collision, and as the material fell into the void, it emitted the mysterious X-rays, according to Hajela. To find out which theory holds, the researchers are using Chandra and radio telescopes to look for radio emissions. If the site of the collision starts producing radio waves and the X-rays get brighter, then it could be a kilonova afterglow.
The researchers can’t say yet which scenario is more likely, but they note the rarity of the observation. Neither a kilonova afterglow nor a black hole produced by a kilonova has ever been observed before. “Both of these scenarios are equally very exciting,” Hajela says. “This will definitely tell us about the nature of the product formed during the merger.”
The researchers will continue to monitor GW170817 to look for clues that point to either theory—or an entirely different trail.
Argentina Últimas Noticias, Argentina Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Delta Sonic planning to reconfigure car wash lanes, adding greenhouse-style vacuum facilityDelta Sonic plans improve traffic flow at its Naperville car wash at Route 59 and North Aurora Road by adding more spaces for waiting cars and constructing a building for customers to vacuum their cars out of the elements.
Leer más »
Paramount Halts ‘The Lost City,’ ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ Release in RussiaParamount Pictures is the latest Hollywood studio to pause the theatrical release of its upcoming films in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine last week. “As we witness the ong…
Leer más »
Possible massive 'kilonova' explosion creates an epic afterglowTwo hyper-dense neutron stars potentially merged to create the event.
Leer más »
Astronomers have potentially spotted kilonova afterglow for the first timeResearchers at the Northwestern University and Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences may have potentially come across a kilonova afterglow.
Leer más »
We Might Have Seen The Afterglow of a Neutron Star Kilonova ExplosionA strange X-ray glow seen in the sky three and a half years after an epic collision between two neutron stars is a first for science.
Leer más »