by For the first time, Northwestern University-led astronomers may have detected an afterglow from a kilonova.
A kilonova occurs when two neutron stars—some of the densest objects in the universe—merge to create a blast 1,000 times brighter than a classical nova.
In this case, a narrow, off-axis jet of high-energy particles accompanied the merger event, dubbed GW170817.
Three-and-a-half years after the merger, the jet faded away, revealing a new source of mysterious X-rays.
Source
A kilonova occurs when two neutron stars—some of the densest objects in the universe—merge to create a blast 1,000 times brighter than a classical nova.
In this case, a narrow, off-axis jet of high-energy particles accompanied the merger event, dubbed GW170817.
Three-and-a-half years after the merger, the jet faded away, revealing a new source of mysterious X-rays.
Source
