Accurate flux calibration of GW170817: is the X-ray counterpart on the rise?. Issue 2 (4th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Troja, E; O'Connor, B; Ryan, G; Piro, L; Ricci, R; Zhang, B; Piran, T; Bruni, G; Cenko, S B; van Eerten, H
• Is Part Of: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Volume 510:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 1902
• Page End: 1909
• Publication Date: 2021-12-04
• Subjects: stars: neutron -- gravitational waves -- gamma-ray burst; Astronomy -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 520.5
• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stab3533
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-8711

Abstract

ABSTRACT: X-ray emission from the gravitational wave transient GW170817 is well described as non-thermal afterglow radiation produced by a structured relativistic jet viewed off-axis. We show that the X-ray counterpart continues to be detected at 3.3 years after the merger. Such long-lasting signal is not a prediction of the earlier jet models characterized by a narrow jet core and a viewing angle ≈20 deg, and is spurring a renewed interest in the origin of the X-ray emission. We present a comprehensive analysis of the X-ray dataset aimed at clarifying existing discrepancies in the literature, and in particular the presence of an X-ray rebrightening at late times. Our analysis does not find evidence for an increase in the X-ray flux, but confirms a growing tension between the observations and the jet model. Further observations at radio and X-ray wavelengths would be critical to break the degeneracy between models.