File:Kilonova Emission Spectrum (2023-134).png

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This graphic presentation compares the spectral data of GRB 230307A’s kilonova as observed by the James Webb Space Telescope and a kilonova model.

Summary

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Description
English: This graphic presentation compares the spectral data of GRB 230307A’s kilonova as observed by the James Webb Space Telescope and a kilonova model. Both show a distinct peak in the region of the spectrum associated with tellurium, with the area shaded in red. The detection of tellurium, which is rarer than platinum on Earth, marks Webb’s first direct look at an individual heavy element from a kilonova.

Though astronomers have theorized neutron star mergers to be the ideal environment to create chemical elements, including some that are essential to life, these explosive events—known as kilonovas—are rare and rapid. Webb’s NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) acquired a spectrum of GRB 230307A’s kilonova, helping scientists secure evidence of the synthesis of heavy elements from neutron star mergers. With Webb’s extraordinary ability to look further into space than ever before, astronomers expect to find even more kilonovas and acquire further evidence of heavy element creation.

NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)
Date 25 October 2023 (upload date)
Source Kilonova Emission Spectrum
Author Illustration NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)
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Licensing

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Public domain This file is in the public domain because it was created by NASA, ESA and CSA. NASA Webb material is copyright-free and may be freely used as in the public domain without fee, on the condition that only NASA, STScI, and/or ESA/CSA is credited as the source of the material. This license does not apply if source material from other organizations is in use.
The material was created for NASA by Space Telescope Science Institute under Contract NAS5-03127. Copyright statement at webbtelescope.org.
For material created by the European Space Agency on the esawebb.org site, use the {{ESA-Webb}} tag.

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current10:30, 26 October 2023Thumbnail for version as of 10:30, 26 October 20233,841 × 2,160 (145 KB)OptimusPrimeBot (talk | contribs)#Spacemedia - Upload of https://stsci-opo.org/STScI-01HAWFWWHR520AB97FYJY25APM.png via Commons:Spacemedia

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