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Enabling kilonova science with Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

Publication ,  Journal Article
Andreoni, I; Coughlin, MW; Criswell, AW; Bulla, M; Toivonen, A; Singer, LP; Palmese, A; Burns, E; Gezari, S; Kasliwal, MM; Kiendrebeogo, RW ...
Published in: Astroparticle Physics
February 1, 2024

Binary neutron star mergers and neutron star–black hole mergers are multi-messenger sources that can be detected in gravitational waves and in electromagnetic radiation. The low electron fraction of neutron star merger ejecta favors the production of heavy elements such as lanthanides and actinides via rapid neutron capture (r-process). The decay of these unstable nuclei powers an infrared-bright transient called a “kilonova”. The discovery of a population of kilonovae will allow us to determine if neutron star mergers are the dominant sites for r-process element nucleosynthesis, constrain the equation of state of nuclear matter, and make independent measurements of the Hubble constant. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (Roman) will have a unique combination of depth, near-infrared sensitivity, and wide field of view. These characteristics will enable Roman's discovery of GW counterparts that will be missed by optical telescopes, such as kilonova that are associated with large distances, high lanthanide fractions, high binary mass-ratios, large dust extinction in the line of sight, or that are observed from equatorial viewing angles. In preparation for Roman's launch and operations, our analysis suggests to (i) make available a rapid (∼1 week) Target of Opportunity mode for GW follow-up; (ii) include observations of the High Latitude Time-Domain survey footprint in at least two filters (preferably the F158 and F213 filters) with a cadence of ≲8 days; (iii) operate in synergy with Rubin Observatory. Following these recommendations, we expect that 1–6 kilonovae can be identified by Roman via target of opportunity observations of well localized (A<10 deg2, 90% C.I.) neutron star mergers during 1.5 years of the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA fifth (or ∼4–21 in during the sixth) observing run. A sample of 5–40 serendipitously discovered kilonovae can be collected in a 5-year high latitude survey.

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Published In

Astroparticle Physics

DOI

ISSN

0927-6505

Publication Date

February 1, 2024

Volume

155

Related Subject Headings

  • Nuclear & Particles Physics
  • 5107 Particle and high energy physics
  • 5101 Astronomical sciences
  • 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics
  • 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences
 

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Andreoni, I., Coughlin, M. W., Criswell, A. W., Bulla, M., Toivonen, A., Singer, L. P., … Travouillon, T. (2024). Enabling kilonova science with Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Astroparticle Physics, 155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.astropartphys.2023.102904
Andreoni, I., M. W. Coughlin, A. W. Criswell, M. Bulla, A. Toivonen, L. P. Singer, A. Palmese, et al. “Enabling kilonova science with Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.” Astroparticle Physics 155 (February 1, 2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.astropartphys.2023.102904.
Andreoni I, Coughlin MW, Criswell AW, Bulla M, Toivonen A, Singer LP, et al. Enabling kilonova science with Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Astroparticle Physics. 2024 Feb 1;155.
Andreoni, I., et al. “Enabling kilonova science with Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.” Astroparticle Physics, vol. 155, Feb. 2024. Scopus, doi:10.1016/j.astropartphys.2023.102904.
Andreoni I, Coughlin MW, Criswell AW, Bulla M, Toivonen A, Singer LP, Palmese A, Burns E, Gezari S, Kasliwal MM, Kiendrebeogo RW, Mahabal A, Moriya TJ, Rest A, Scolnic D, Simcoe RA, Soon J, Stein R, Travouillon T. Enabling kilonova science with Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Astroparticle Physics. 2024 Feb 1;155.
Journal cover image

Published In

Astroparticle Physics

DOI

ISSN

0927-6505

Publication Date

February 1, 2024

Volume

155

Related Subject Headings

  • Nuclear & Particles Physics
  • 5107 Particle and high energy physics
  • 5101 Astronomical sciences
  • 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics
  • 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences