A collision between two neutron stars is emitting mysterious X-rays—and astronomers are getting closer to pinning down the source
One theory is that the rays might be the result of a phenomenon called a kilonova afterglow. This occurs when debris from the neutron star collision moves so fast that it creates a sort of galactic “sonic boom,” according to“That shock heats up the material…and that material then introduces this kilonova afterglow,” Hajela says. That hot material could then emit the X-rays scientists observed.
The second theory is that a black hole was produced in the collision, and as the material fell into the void, it emitted the mysterious X-rays, according to Hajela. To find out which theory holds, the researchers are using Chandra and radio telescopes to look for radio emissions. If the site of the collision starts producing radio waves and the X-rays get brighter, then it could be a kilonova afterglow.
The researchers can’t say yet which scenario is more likely, but they note the rarity of the observation. Neither a kilonova afterglow nor a black hole produced by a kilonova has ever been observed before. “Both of these scenarios are equally very exciting,” Hajela says. “This will definitely tell us about the nature of the product formed during the merger.”
The researchers will continue to monitor GW170817 to look for clues that point to either theory—or an entirely different trail.
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