TY - JOUR
T1 - Enabling kilonova science with Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
AU - Andreoni, Igor
AU - Coughlin, Michael W.
AU - Criswell, Alexander W.
AU - Bulla, Mattia
AU - Toivonen, Andrew
AU - Singer, Leo P.
AU - Palmese, Antonella
AU - Burns, E.
AU - Gezari, Suvi
AU - Kasliwal, Mansi M.
AU - Kiendrebeogo, R. Weizmann
AU - Mahabal, Ashish
AU - Moriya, Takashi J.
AU - Rest, Armin
AU - Scolnic, Dan
AU - Simcoe, Robert A.
AU - Soon, Jamie
AU - Stein, Robert
AU - Travouillon, Tony
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023
PY - 2024/2
Y1 - 2024/2
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Gravitational waves
KW - Kilonova
KW - Multi-messenger
KW - Neutron stars
KW - Surveys
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85173219514&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.astropartphys.2023.102904
DO - 10.1016/j.astropartphys.2023.102904
M3 - Article
SN - 0927-6505
VL - 155
JO - Astroparticle Physics
JF - Astroparticle Physics
M1 - 102904
ER -