Aprajita Hajela Makes New Discovery About Kilonova Afterglow
March 2, 2022
Physics and Astronomy PhD student Aprajita Hajela is the lead author on a new paper concerning the possible detection of the afterglow from a kilonova. “A kilonova occurs when two neutron stars — some of the densest objects in the universe — merge to create a blast 1,000 times brighter than a classical nova. In this case, a narrow, off-axis jet of high-energy particles accompanied the merger event, dubbed GW170817. Three-and-a-half years after the merger, the jet faded away, revealing a new source of mysterious X-rays.”
According to Aprajita, "We have entered uncharted territory here in studying the aftermath of a neutron star merger. We are looking at something new and extraordinary for the very first time. This gives us an opportunity to study and understand new physical processes, which have not before been observed.”
You can read more about Aprajita’s discovery in Northwestern Now or at the Chandra X-Ray Observatory Blog.
Congratulations, Aprajita, on this outstanding discovery!