Astronomers have explained the mysterious glow during the merger of neutron stars
- Новости
- Science and technology
- Astronomers have explained the mysterious glow during the merger of neutron stars
Astronomers have proposed a model explaining the nature of the unusual afterglow when neutron stars merge to form exotic dust from heavy elements. The results of the study by a group led by Nanae Domoto from the University of Tokyo were published on July 14 in the journal Phys.org .
Scientists have found that when neutron stars collide, powerful kilon explosions occur. During this process, a neutron-rich substance is released, which, as a result of radioactive decay, turns into heavy elements such as gold and platinum.
However, recent observations of the AT2017gfo and AT2023vfi objects revealed spectral features that did not fit into existing standards. The James Webb telescope recorded an infrared glow at a temperature of about +387 degrees, which is too "cool" for such a hot explosion. According to the new model, as the discarded material cools, the elements of the so-called r-process condense into solid dust particles. It is this dust that naturally reproduces the observed thermal radiation.
"When dust is included in the model, its formation begins after about 10 days, first in the cooler outer layers of the ejecta. By day 20, the dust formation process mainly covers the inner regions," the authors point out.
According to the publication, if researchers closely observe the kilonova during this period, they will see how the spectrum transitions from sharp atomic lines to a smooth thermal glow. A similar mechanism has previously been recorded in the study of ordinary supernovae.
Scientists believe that dust is best formed in slow-moving ejection components. Since each merger is unique in mass, velocity, and composition, the behavior of kilonovs in the later stages will vary.
"Future optical and infrared observations will provide a direct verification of this scenario, both through spectroscopy during the era of dust formation and through studying the diversity of late kilonova radiation," the researchers conclude.
According to experts, studying exotic dust will become a new way to analyze how neutron star mergers, collapsars and other astrophysical events create the heaviest elements in the universe.
Phys.org On July 12, he reported the identification of different populations of merging black holes. According to the researchers, one possible scenario suggests that two massive stars form and evolve together, and after their death, binary black hole systems form. Another option is associated with dense star clusters, where already formed black holes can converge and form pairs as a result of random gravitational interactions.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
