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The Unfolding Story of a Kilonova Told in X-rays

  • An artist's conception illustrates the aftermath of two neutron stars merging. Chandra has been collecting data on such an event called GW170817 since shortly after it was first detected in gravitational waves by the LIGO and Virgo on August 17, 2017.

    An artist's conception illustrates the aftermath of two neutron stars merging. Chandra has been collecting data on such an event called GW170817 since shortly after it was first detected in gravitational waves by the LIGO and Virgo on August 17, 2017.

    NASA/CXC/M.Weiss

    Low Resolution Image

  • Chandra is now the only observatory still able to detect light – in the form of X-rays -- from GW170817 nearly four years after the original event. The X-rays show the presence of a shock (similar to a sonic boom produced by a plane) in the aftermath of the merger.

    Chandra is now the only observatory still able to detect light – in the form of X-rays -- from GW170817 nearly four years after the original event. The X-rays show the presence of a shock (similar to a sonic boom produced by a plane) in the aftermath of the merger.

    NASA/CXC/Northwestern Univ./A. Hajela et al.

    Low Resolution Image