Accurate flux calibration of GW170817: is the X-ray counterpart on the rise?

Journal
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
E. Troja
•
B. O'Connor
•
G. Ryan
•
•
•
B. Zhang
•
T. Piran
•
•
S. B. Cenko
•
H. van Eerten
DOI
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 of about 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.
Volume
510
Issue
2
Start page
1902
Uri
Url
Issn Identifier
0035-8711
Rights
open.access
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