Kilonova Photos: Hubble Space Telescope's Images of Cosmic Explosion

By Space.com Staff
published

Hubble Gamma Ray Burst

NASA, ESA, N. Tanvir (University of Leicester), and A. Fruchter, Z. Levay (Space Telescope Science Institute), A. Levan (University of Warwick)

These images taken by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope reveal a new type of stellar explosion produced by the merger of two compact objects: either two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole. The galaxy in the center of the left image produced the gamma-ray burst, whose lingering effects were visible on June 13 but had faded by July 3. [Read the Full Story]

Kilonova Gamma-Ray Burst GRB 130603B

NASA, ESA, N. Tanvir (University of Leicester), A. Levan (University of Warwick), A. Fruchter (STScI), J. Hjorth (University of Copenhagen), R. Hounsell (STScI), K. Wiersema (University of Leicester), and R. Tunnicliffe (University of Warwick)

This wide view of the gamma-ray burst GRB 130603B shows its host galaxy and the surrounding area. The galaxy is 4 billion light-years from Earth. Image released Aug. 3, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

Kilonova Gamma-Ray Burst GRB 130603B: Before

NASA, ESA, N. Tanvir (University of Leicester), A. Levan (University of Warwick), A. Fruchter (STScI), J. Hjorth (University of Copenhagen), R. Hounsell (STScI), K. Wiersema (University of Leicester), and R. Tunnicliffe (University of Warwick)

This view of the host galaxy for the kilonova gamma-ray burst GRB 130603B was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope on June 13, 2013. Image released Aug. 3, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

Kilonova Gamma-Ray Burst GRB 130603B: After

NASA, ESA, N. Tanvir (University of Leicester), A. Levan (University of Warwick), A. Fruchter (STScI), J. Hjorth (University of Copenhagen), R. Hounsell (STScI), K. Wiersema (University of Leicester), and R. Tunnicliffe (University of Warwick)

This image of the host galaxy for the kilonova gamma-ray burst GRB 130603B was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope on July 3, 2013. Image released Aug. 3, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

Kilonova Explosion: Sequence of Events

NASA, ESA, and A. Field (STScI)

This sequence illustrates a model for the formation of a short-duration gamma-ray burst to become a powerful kilonova explosion. Here, two neutron stars circle one another and ultimately collide to kick out highly radioactive material. This material heats up and expands, emitting a burst of light called a kilonova. An accompanying gamma-ray burst lasts just one-tenth of a second, but is 100 billion times brighter than the kilonova flash. Image released Aug. 3, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

Kilonova Explosion: Step 1

NASA, ESA, and A. Feild (STScI)

In this illustration, two ultradense neutron stars circle one another, slowly coming together in the first step toward a cosmic collision that can create a kilonova gamma-ray burst. Image released Aug. 3, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

Kilonova Collision Illustration

NASA, ESA, and A. Feild (STScI)

Two ultradense neutron stars collide to unleash a kilonova gamma-ray burst explosion in this artist's illustration. Image released Aug. 3, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

Kilonova Gamma-Ray Burst Explosion

NASA, ESA, and A. Feild (STScI)

Two ultradense neutron stars explode in a powerful, but just millisecond-brief, gamma-ray burst to spark a kilonova event in this artist's illustration. Image released Aug. 3, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

Kilonova Aftermath: Illustration

gamma-ray burst, gamma ray burst, black hole, neutron star, nasa, hubble space telescope, hubble, astronomy, kilonovas, kilonova explosions

A remnant disk of debris surrounds the merged remains of two ultradense neutron stars in a kilonova gamma-ray burst, which may have collapsed to form a black hole. Image released Aug. 3, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

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Space.com Staff
Space.com Staff
News and editorial team

Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.