Abstract
An electromagnetic transient powered by the radioactive decay of r-process elements, a so-called kilonova/macronova, is one of the possible observable consequences of compact binary mergers including at least one neutron star. Recent observations strongly suggest the discovery of the first electromagnetic transient, which is associated with the short gamma ray burst 130603B. We explore a possible progenitor of this event by combining numerical-relativity simulations and radiative transfer simulations of the dynamical ejecta of binary neutron star and black hole-neutron star mergers. We show that the ejecta models within a realistic parameter range consistently reproduce the observed near-infrared excess. We also show that the soft equation-of-state models for binary neutron star mergers and the stiff equation-of-state models for black hole-neutron star mergers are suitable for reproducing the observed luminosity.
Original language | English |
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Article number | L16 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal Letters |
Volume | 778 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 Nov 20 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- equation of state
- gamma-ray burst: general
- gamma-ray burst: individual (130603B)
- stars: black holes
- stars: neutron
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science