Scientists have observed a rare event where two neutron stars merge and explode as a kilonova, producing gravitational waves and a short gamma-ray burst. Detailed observations confirmed that this object, located in the galaxy NGC 4993, is indeed a kilonova and the main source of heavy chemical elements in the Universe. Gamma-ray telescopes observing neutron star collisions could potentially help identify the composition of dark matter.
This artist’s impression shows two tiny but very dense neutron stars at the point at which they merge and explode as a kilonova. Such a very rare event is expected to produce both gravitational waves and a short gamma-ray burst , both of which were observed on 17 August 2017 by LIGO–Virgo and Fermi/INTEGRAL respectively.
Subsequent detailed observations with many ESO telescopes confirmed that this object, seen in the galaxy NGC 4993 about 130 million light-years from the Earth, is indeed a kilonova. Such objects are the main source of very heavy chemical elements, such as gold and platinum, in the Universe. Gamma-ray telescopes observing neutron star collisions might be the key to identifying the composition of dark matter. One leading theory explaining dark matter it that is mostly made from hypothetical particles called axions. If an axion is created within the intensely energetic environment of two neutron stars merging, it should then decay into gamma-ray photons which we could see using space telescopes like Fermi-LA
Neutron Stars Kilonova Gravitational Waves Gamma-Ray Burst Dark Matter Composition Space Telescopes
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Scientists create 5 new isotopes to learn how neutron star collisions forge goldRobert Lea is a science journalist in the U.K. whose articles have been published in Physics World, New Scientist, Astronomy Magazine, All About Space, Newsweek and ZME Science. He also writes about science communication for Elsevier and the European Journal of Physics. Rob holds a bachelor of science degree in physics and astronomy from the U.K.
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