X-Ray Emission from GW170817 ∼2.5 years After the Merger
Abstract
The binary neutron star merger GW170817 is the first and only astronomical object with a joint detection of gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation. Here we report the results from deep Chandra X-ray observations of GW170817 at δt ∼ 940 days post merger. We find evidence for X-ray emission with flux Fx = $({2.24}_{+0.97}^{-0.96})\times {10}^{-15}\,\mathrm{erg}\,{\mathrm{cm}}^{-2}\,{{\rm{s}}}^{-1}$ (Lx = ${4.29}_{+1.86}^{-1.84}\times {10}^{38}\,\mathrm{erg}\,{{\rm{s}}}^{-1}$ , 0.3-10 keV). This flux is consistent with the expected late-time evolution of non-thermal emission from an off-axis structured jet and it is now approaching the sensitivity threshold of current X-ray instrumentation. Future observations might reveal the emergence of the kilonova afterglow.
- Publication:
-
Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- May 2020
- DOI:
- 10.3847/2515-5172/ab9229
- Bibcode:
- 2020RNAAS...4...68H
- Keywords:
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- Neutron stars;
- Gravitational waves;
- 1108;
- 678