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Heavy-element production in a compact object merger observed by JWST

Space Sciences

Heavy-element production in a compact object merger observed by JWST

A. J. Levan, B. P. Gompertz, et al.

Explore the remarkable findings of GRB 230307A, an incredibly bright gamma-ray burst, as observed by the James Webb Space Telescope. This research, conducted by a collaborative team of experts, uncovers the production of r-process elements essential for heavy-element nucleosynthesis, helping us understand the universe's origins in greater depth.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
This paper presents observations of GRB 230307A, an exceptionally bright gamma-ray burst, using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The authors find that GRB 230307A is a long-duration GRB associated with a compact object merger, containing a kilonova similar to AT2017gfo. JWST mid-infrared imaging and spectroscopy reveal an emission line interpreted as tellurium and a very red source, indicating the production of lanthanides. These findings demonstrate the creation of r-process elements across a broad atomic mass range in GRBs and their crucial role in heavy-element nucleosynthesis.
Publisher
Nature
Published On
Jul 26, 2023
Authors
Andrew J. Levan, Benjamin P. Gompertz, Owen Shanar, Mat Bulat, Eric Burns, Kenta Hotezuka, Luca Izzo, Gavin P. Lamb, Daniele B. Malesani, Samantha R. Oates, Maria Edvige Ravasio, Alicia R. Bosco Escorial, Benjamin Schneider, Nikhil Sarin, Steve Schulze, Nial R. Tanvir, Kendal Ackley, Gemma Anderson, Gabriel B. Brammer, Lise Christensen, Vikram S. Dhillon, Filippo Mannucci, Michael Fausnaught, Wen-fai Fong, Andrew S. Fruchter, Chris Fryer, Johan P. U. Fynbo, Nicola Gasparri, Kasper E. Heintz, Jens Hjorth, Jamie A. Kennea, Mark R. Kennedy, Tannoy Laskar, Giorgio Leobardo, Lisa Mandel, Antonio Martín-Carrión, Brian D. Metzger, Atti Nicholl, Anya Nugent, Jesse T. Palmer, Giovanna Pugliese, Jillian Restadini, Lauren Rhodes, Andrea Rossi, Andrea Saccardi, Stephen J. Smartt, Heloise F. Stevance, Aaron Tohuvavohu, Alexander van der Horst, Susan E. Vergani, Darch Watson, Thomas Barclay, Korob Bhirbhadak, Émile Breedt, Alice A. Breveld, Alexander J. Brown, Sergio Campana, Ashley C. Franks, Paolo D'Avanzo, Valerio D'Elia, Massimiliano De Pasquale, Martin J. Dyer, Duncan K. Galloway, James A. Garùa, Matthew J. Green, Dieter H. Hartmann, Palm Jäkel, Chrysa Kouveliotou, Daniel Langerdorff, Emeric Le Floc'h, James K. Leung, Stuart P. Littlefair, James Mundy, Paul O'Brien, Steven G. Parsons, Ingrid Pessah, David I. Sahman, Ruben Salvador, Boris Starrett, Danny Stegman, Gianpiero Tagliapietri, Christina C. Thöne, Antonio de Ugarte Postigo, David Alexander Kann
Tags
Gamma-ray burst
GRB 230307A
James Webb Space Telescope
kilonova
r-process elements
nucleosynthesis
heavy elements
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