ENERGY SOURCES AND LIGHT CURVES OF MACRONOVAE

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EDT 2015 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/802/2/119· OSTI ID:22522012

Kisaka, Shota; Ioka, Kunihito; Takami, Hajime ^[1]

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1. Theory Center, Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies, KEK, Tsukuba 305-0801 (Japan)

A macronova (kilonova) was discovered with a short gamma-ray burst, GRB 130603B, which is widely believed to be powered by the radioactivity of r-process elements synthesized in the ejecta of a neutron star (NS)–binary merger. As an alternative, we propose that macronovae are energized by the central engine, i.e., a black hole or NS, and the injected energy is emitted after the adiabatic expansion of ejecta. This engine model is motivated by extended emission of short GRBs. In order to compare the theoretical models with observations, we develop analytical formulae for the light curves of macronovae. The engine model allows a wider parameter range, especially smaller ejecta mass, and a better fit to observations than the r-process model. Future observations of electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational waves should distinguish energy sources and constrain the activity of the central engine and the r-process nucleosynthesis.

• OSTI ID: 22522012
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 802; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
BLACK HOLES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COSMIC GAMMA BURSTS
DIAGRAMS
GRAVITATIONAL WAVES
MASS
NEUTRON STARS
NOVAE
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
R PROCESS
RADIOACTIVITY
VISIBLE RADIATION