Kilonova Discovery Challenges our Understanding of Gamma-Ray Bursts

Credit: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. da Silva/Spaceengine

This artist's impression shows a kilonova produced by two colliding neutron stars. While studying the aftermath of a long gamma-ray burst (GRB), two independent teams of astronomers using a host of telescopes in space and on Earth, including the Gemini North telescope on Hawai‘i and the Gemini South telescope in Chile, have uncovered the unexpected hallmarks of a kilonova, the colossal explosion triggered by colliding neutron stars.

« Kilonova Discovery Challenges our Understanding of Gamma-Ray Bursts

Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/M. Zamani; NASA/ESA

This Gemini North image, superimposed on an image taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, shows the telltale near-infrared afterglow of a kilonova produced by a long GRB (GRB 211211A). This discovery challenges the prevailing theory that long GRBs exclusively come from supernovae, the end-of-life explosions of massive stars.

« Kilonova Discovery Challenges our Understanding of Gamma-Ray Bursts

Expert Pitch

Expert Query

Expert Directory