Neutron star merge why didn't all EM radiation came at once?

In summary, the conversation discusses the observations of a gamma burst and gravitational waves, along with the delay in the arrival of different types of electromagnetic radiation. The chemist wonders why the radiation arrived at different times despite traveling through a high vacuum at the same speed. It is suggested that the delay could be due to the mechanism of the merger and the cooling of ejected matter. The possibility of the interstellar/intergalactic vacuum affecting the speed of different wavelengths is also mentioned. It is noted that optical telescopes took 11 hours to start looking, resulting in a shift to longer wavelengths as the ejecta cooled off.
  • #1
Borek
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Bear with me, I am just a chemist.

Observations took several days (up to two weeks if memory serves me well). What I wonder is - why had different types of the EM radiation came at different times? Gamma burst was observed at almost exactly the same time gravitational waves were detected, but visible light, IR and X-rays came days later.

Radiation traveled mostly through a high vacuum, so the speed should be identical and the arrival of radiation in all wavelength should be simultaneous. The most obvious answer is that we observed what was produced at different moments of the merger due to its mechanism (combined with cooling of the expanding matter ejected in the collision). But is it all, or is there more to it? Is the interstellar/intergalactic vacuum dense enough to slow down different wavelengths in an observable way?
 
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  • #2
It took about 11 hours for the optical telescopes to start looking, mostly because they were waiting for it to get dark. As soon as they started looking, the optical radiation was there, but it shifted to longer wavelengths as the ejecta cooled off over time.
 

1. Why didn't all electromagnetic (EM) radiation come at once during a neutron star merge?

During a neutron star merge, two extremely dense objects known as neutron stars come together and form a single, more massive object. This process releases a tremendous amount of energy, including EM radiation. However, not all of this radiation is released at once because the merging neutron stars create a chaotic environment that can affect the release of EM radiation.

2. What factors affect the timing of EM radiation during a neutron star merge?

Several factors can affect the timing of EM radiation during a neutron star merge. These include the mass and speed of the merging neutron stars, the angle of the merger with respect to Earth, and the properties of the material surrounding the neutron stars. All of these factors can influence how and when EM radiation is released.

3. Is there a delay between the merger of neutron stars and the detection of EM radiation?

Yes, there can be a delay between the merger of neutron stars and the detection of EM radiation. This delay can range from a fraction of a second to several days, depending on the factors mentioned above. In some cases, the EM radiation may not be detectable at all due to the orientation of the merger or the strength of the surrounding material.

4. How do scientists study the EM radiation from a neutron star merge?

Scientists use a variety of instruments and techniques to study the EM radiation from a neutron star merge. These include telescopes that detect different wavelengths of light, such as X-rays and gamma rays, as well as gravitational wave detectors. By combining data from these different sources, scientists can gain a better understanding of the properties and behavior of neutron stars.

5. What can we learn from studying the EM radiation from a neutron star merge?

Studying the EM radiation from a neutron star merge can provide valuable insights into the physics of extreme events in the universe. It can also help us better understand the properties of neutron stars, which are some of the most mysterious objects in the universe. Additionally, studying these mergers can also help us improve our understanding of the origin and evolution of the universe as a whole.

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