
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observed the formation of heavy elements in a kilonova. The kilonova was the result of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) called GRB 230307A, which was the second brightest gamma-ray burst ever observed. The JWST’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) instrument captured an image of the kilonova and its former home galaxy.
The JWST’s high-resolution and high-sensitivity instruments allowed astronomers to identify the elements produced in the collision by their infrared signatures. The study team discovered the heavy chemical element tellurium in the explosion’s aftermath. Other elements such as iodine and thorium, which are needed to sustain life on earth, are also likely to be amongst the material ejected by the explosion.
Kilonovae are extremely rare events and difficult to observe directly. It has long been theorized that neutron star mergers would be ideal “pressure cookers” to create some of the rarer elements substantially heavier than iron.
A recent study published in Nature investigates recent observations from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and ground-based telescopes of heavy elements within the ejected material of a recent gamma-ray burst (GRB), classified as GRB 230307A, that was likely produced by a kilonova with GRB 230307A being
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