kilonova Archives

A comparison of measured element abundances in the Earth’s crust (24) (dotted line) with r-process portion (solid line) calculated using the r-process fractions from (23). Elements for which the calculated r-process fractions exceed 75% are labelled. These include the elements bromine, iodine, thorium and uranium, whose relevance to life on Earth is discussed in the text. -- astro-ph.HE

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Status Report

Do We Owe Our Existence To Gravitational Waves?

by Keith CowingFebruary 7, 2024February 7, 2024

Two heavy elements essential to human biology are thought to have been produced by the astrophysical r-process, which occurs in neutron-rich environments: iodine is a constituent of thyroid hormones that […]

Schematic diagrams highlighting the interesting components of emission from a binary neutron star merger at two different temporal and spatial scales. In (a), the system is shown at sub-parsec scales and within the first few years after the merger. The locations of gamma-ray emission in the dynamical ejecta and the cocoon surrounding the jet are highlighted, as well as the X-ray emission from the interaction between the jet and the interstellar medium (ISM). While the jet and cocoon emission are short-lived, the afterglow produces continuum emission for many years. Only the emitted X-rays produce the fluence that could be lethal. The kilonova, i.e., the UV/optical/IR emission powered by radioactivity in the ejecta, is also shown for additional context, but is undetectable after a week. In (b), the larger, late-time structure of the remnant is shown with the long-since dissipated jet location indicated. The explosion from the merger will launch a strong shock that sweeps out a bubble-like structure as it expands through the ISM, which is a source of potentially threatening cosmic rays. -- astro-ph.HE

Astronomy & Telescopes, Extinction events, Radiation, Status Report

Could A Kilonova Kill: A Threat Assessment

by Keith CowingOctober 19, 2023October 19, 2023

Binary neutron star mergers (BNS) produce high-energy emissions from several physically different sources, including a gamma-ray burst (GRB) and its afterglow, a kilonova, and, at late times, a remnant many […]