Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) with Kilonova
- Recently astronomers have recorded an event of a binary merger emitting a long, gamma ray burst (GRB) conjugated with a kilonova emission.
- This is the first discovery of its kind. It was also scientifically accepted or confirmed by India’s largest optical telescope, Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT).
- Traditionally, a kilonova is associated with a short GRB. It is emitted when two dense objects such as a binary neutron star or a neutron star and a black hole collide.
Gamma-Ray Bursts– GRB
- Gamma ray bursts (GRBs) are luminous high-energy radiation produced by energetic cosmic explosions. GRBs are divided into two main categories.
- These are the most powerful phenomena in the universe, which can be detected even from a distance of billions of light-years.
- Long GRBs: These are produced by the formation of black holes in the centers of disintegrating massive stars. They are bursts for 2 seconds or more.
- When a star much more massive than the Sun runs out of fuel, its central part (core) suddenly collapses and becomes a black hole.
- Black holes are holes in space where the force of gravity is so strong that light cannot pass through.
Short GRBs: These are produced due to the merger of dense objects like neutron stars. Their time is less than 2 seconds. A neutron star is the last possible evolutionary stage of high-mass stars.
Source – The Hindu
