Project description
Fast X-ray transients shine a light on heavy element formation in binary neutron stars
Binary neutron star (BNS) systems comprise two neutron stars orbiting each other owing to mutual gravitational attraction, which can eventually merge in a violent event over time. Funded by the European Research Council, the Starstruck project aims to use fast X-ray transients (FXTs) to study BNS mergers, which are crucial for the formation of r-process elements and offer signals for measuring the Hubble constant. The FXT signal, unlike the short gamma-ray burst signal, allows for quick localisation of the merger. The upcoming launch of the all-sky X-ray survey satellite Einstein Probe will enable the discovery of a significant sample of bright FXTs. Together with project findings, this will lead to a breakthrough in understanding FXTs and enabling precise measurements related to BNS mergers.
Objective
We will use extra-galactic Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs) to study binary neutron star (BNS) mergers. Merging neutron stars are important for the formation of r-process elements and provide standardizable signals allowing the Hubble constant (H0) to be measured maximizing the science output of these multi-messenger events. Comparing BNS mergers with and without an FXT signal provides a way to constrain the elusive equation of state of matter at supra-nuclear densities. Unlike the highly beamed short gamma-ray burst signal associated with BNS mergers, the FXT signal is ~isotropic providing us with the means to quickly localise the merger, even for events out to the BNS merger detection horizon of the 3rd generation of GW detectors such as Einstein Telescope or Cosmic Explorer. A high-risk aspect is that the link between FXTs and BNSs is not yet 100% certain. FXTs manifest as singular short flashes of X-ray photons with durations ranging from minutes to hours. The imminent launch of the all-sky X-ray survey satellite Einstein Probe together with the recent deployment of premiere ground-based instrumentation will revolutionize this field by enabling the discovery and immediate follow-up of a statistically significant sample of more than a hundred bright FXTs over the >3-yr Einstein Probe mission duration. Complemented with a comprehensive study of the FXT host galaxies, this will lead to a breakthrough in our understanding of FXTs and enabling us to measure the yield of r-process elements, H0, and the maximum mass of a neutron star using BNS mergers. In addition to our main goals, we expect serendipitous discoveries in this new research field.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-ADG
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6525 XZ Nijmegen
Netherlands
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