Composite of images of NGC 4993 and kilonova from many ESO instruments

This composite shows images of the galaxy NGC 4993 from several different ESO telescopes and instruments. They all reveal a faint source of light close to the centre. This is a kilonova, the explosion resulting from the merger of two neutron stars. This merger produced both gravitational waves, detected by LIGO–Virgo, and gamma rays, detected by Fermi and INTEGRAL in space.

Credit:

VLT/VIMOS. VLT/MUSE, MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope/GROND, VISTA/VIRCAM, VST/OmegaCAM

About the Image

Id:eso1733c
Type:Collage
Release date:16 October 2017, 16:00
Related releases:eso1733
Size:3078 x 2204 px

About the Object

Name:GW170817, NGC 4993
Type:Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Neutron Star
Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Elliptical
Category:Galaxies
Stars

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