Project description
Cosmic collisions: unlocking the secrets of kilonovae
The collision of binary neutron stars results in cataclysmic kilonovae. These are brief but brilliant cosmic explosions. The first confirmed kilonova, AT2017gfo, observed alongside the gravitational wave GW170817, revealed a trove of data on these extreme events. Such mergers forge half of all elements heavier than iron, but the physics driving them remains uncertain. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the KN-TRANSFER project aims to change this. Using three-dimensional simulations, researchers model kilonovae from neutron star merger ejecta, tracking the formation of heavy elements. By comparing simulated spectra with observations, the project aims to unlock the physics of these cosmic forges, refine merger models, and deepen our understanding of the Universe’s heaviest elements.
Objective
The merging of binary neutron stars produces an explosive kilonova transient, recently confirmed by the first ever detection of a kilonova, AT2017gfo, coincident with a gravitational wave signal, GW170817. The wealth of observations provided by AT2017gfo offers the opportunity to probe the fundamental physics of binary neutron star mergers, including the incompletely known Equation of State of dense nuclear matter and rapid neutron capture nucleosynthesis (the r-process), which produces half of all elements heavier than iron in the Universe. With the detection of AT2017gfo and the new gravitational wave observing run of LIGO, VIRGO and KAGRA (O4) the demand for kilonova simulations has never been so great.
The aim of this research is to produce sophisticated, three-dimensional kilonova radiative transfer simulations from binary neutron star merger ejecta with detailed r-process calculations, allowing simulations to be directly compared to observations. I am uniquely placed to combine these complex simulations to self-consistently model kilonovae, enabling powerful constraints to be placed on the underlying physics through interpreting kilonova observations. I will carry out the first three-dimensional kilonova parameter space study based on realistic hydrodynamical neutron star merger simulations with a range of neutron star masses and Equations of State. The simulations will predict spectra using a state of the art line-by-line opacity treatment for millions of line transitions of r-process elements, which allows spectral features to be directly associated with the ions responsible for forming the features.
This multi-disciplinary approach will constrain and improve hydrodynamical neutron star merger modelling, kilonova radiative transfer simulations, the high density Equation of State and r-process nucleosynthesis, which are critical to move our knowledge of kilonovae and their role in producing heavy elements in the Universe beyond the state of the art.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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D02 CX56 Dublin
Ireland
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