Accepted author manuscript
Research output: Other contribution
Research output: Other contribution
}
TY - GEN
T1 - A comprehensive view of a binary neutron star merger
AU - Levan, Andrew James
AU - Fruchter, Andrew S.
AU - Smartt, Stephen J.
AU - Ashall, Chris
AU - Benetti, Stefano
AU - Bernardini, Maria Grazia
AU - Bhirombhakdi, Kornpob
AU - Branchesi, Marica
AU - Chaty, Sylvain
AU - Chen, Ting-Wan
AU - Chrimes, Ashley
AU - D'Ammando, Filippo
AU - D'Avanzo, Paolo
AU - Galbany, Lluis
AU - Gillanders, James
AU - Gompertz, Benjamin Paul
AU - Heintz, Kasper Elm
AU - Hjorth, Jens
AU - Hu, Youdong
AU - Izzo, Luca
AU - Jerkstrand, Anders
AU - Jin, Zhiping
AU - Jonker, Peter G.
AU - Kotak, Rubina
AU - Kuncarayakti, Hanindyo
AU - Leloudas, Giorgos
AU - Lyman, Joseph
AU - Maguire, Kate
AU - Malesani, Daniele Bjorn
AU - Mandel, Ilya
AU - Mattila, Seppo
AU - Michalowski, Michal
AU - Milvang-Jensen, Bo
AU - Nicholl, Matt
AU - O'Brien, Paul Thomas
AU - Oates, Samantha
AU - Palazzi, Eliana
AU - Pognan, Quentin
AU - Sabha, Nadeen B.
AU - Salvaterra, Ruben
AU - Schady, Patricia
AU - Schulze, Steve
AU - Van der Horst, Alexander
AU - Vergani, Susanna
AU - Wiersema, Klaas
AU - Wyrzykowski, Lukasz
AU - Yang, Sheng
PY - 2021/3
Y1 - 2021/3
N2 - We propose a comprehensive public program targetting the electromagnetic counterpart to a gravitational wave source. The counterpart - a kilonova - is created by rapid neutron capture (the r-process) in the neutron-rich ejecta from the merger of two neutron stars, or a neutron star and a black hole. The one kilonova studied in detail to date confirms predictions that they are faint, red and fast-evolving. The unique combination of depth and wavelength coverage from JWST will enable the next pivotal breakthroughs in their study. We will map the bolometric luminosity to determine the quantity of heavy elements produced. Their synthesis sites will be isolated by mapping the relative strengths of blue emission (from lighter elements) and red emission (from heavy elements). Late time photometry can detect the presence of any long-lived radioisotopes from the heaviest elements. Our spectroscopic observations will go further, enabling us to decompose the various kilonova components, and search for individual elements either in the early or late phases of the KN. Finally, the deep observations will provide a unique route to determining the distance to the host galaxy, enhancing the accuracy of the gravitational wave derived Hubble constant, and will provide a high-resolution view of the merger environments. Together these observations will create significant new knowledge about the origin of the heaviest elements known in nature, including those of great value (e.g. gold) and some which are vital to life on Earth (e.g. iodine, thorium). To enhance community value, we propose a public programme and will make reduced products available shortly after the observations....
AB - We propose a comprehensive public program targetting the electromagnetic counterpart to a gravitational wave source. The counterpart - a kilonova - is created by rapid neutron capture (the r-process) in the neutron-rich ejecta from the merger of two neutron stars, or a neutron star and a black hole. The one kilonova studied in detail to date confirms predictions that they are faint, red and fast-evolving. The unique combination of depth and wavelength coverage from JWST will enable the next pivotal breakthroughs in their study. We will map the bolometric luminosity to determine the quantity of heavy elements produced. Their synthesis sites will be isolated by mapping the relative strengths of blue emission (from lighter elements) and red emission (from heavy elements). Late time photometry can detect the presence of any long-lived radioisotopes from the heaviest elements. Our spectroscopic observations will go further, enabling us to decompose the various kilonova components, and search for individual elements either in the early or late phases of the KN. Finally, the deep observations will provide a unique route to determining the distance to the host galaxy, enhancing the accuracy of the gravitational wave derived Hubble constant, and will provide a high-resolution view of the merger environments. Together these observations will create significant new knowledge about the origin of the heaviest elements known in nature, including those of great value (e.g. gold) and some which are vital to life on Earth (e.g. iodine, thorium). To enhance community value, we propose a public programme and will make reduced products available shortly after the observations....
M3 - Other contribution
ER -