1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,759 Astronomers using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have found a jet propelled through space at 2 00:00:05,759 --> 00:00:11,740 nearly the speed of light by the titanic collision between two neutron stars, which are the collapsed 3 00:00:11,740 --> 00:00:16,010 cores of massive supergiant stars. 4 00:00:16,010 --> 00:00:22,740 The explosive event, observed on August 17, 2017, was the first combined detection of 5 00:00:22,740 --> 00:00:29,180 gravitational waves and gamma radiation from the merger of binary neutron stars. 6 00:00:29,180 --> 00:00:33,810 This discovery prompted scientists to quickly aim Hubble at the site of the explosion. 7 00:00:33,810 --> 00:00:40,570 A total of 70 observatories around the globe and in space collectively gathered data across 8 00:00:40,570 --> 00:00:44,609 the electromagnetic spectrum of the merger’s aftermath. 9 00:00:44,609 --> 00:00:49,829 Astronomers used Hubble’s capabilities to precisely measure the position and movements 10 00:00:49,829 --> 00:00:51,260 of the explosion’s shockwave. 11 00:00:51,260 --> 00:00:57,159 They were trying to see how the shockwave’s physical properties changed over time. 12 00:00:57,159 --> 00:01:01,809 Combining Hubble observations with that of several other telescopes, allowed researchers 13 00:01:01,809 --> 00:01:06,870 to pinpoint the explosion site 130 million light-years away. 14 00:01:06,870 --> 00:01:12,550 The data suggests the blast’s shockwave traveled along a narrow beam confined by powerful 15 00:01:12,550 --> 00:01:14,070 magnetic fields. 16 00:01:14,070 --> 00:01:20,070 The resulting jet smashed into and swept up material in the surrounding interstellar medium. 17 00:01:20,070 --> 00:01:24,780 This material included a mass of radiation through which the jet emerged. 18 00:01:24,780 --> 00:01:29,960 As the jet moved away from the site of the explosion, the mass moved outward. 19 00:01:29,960 --> 00:01:34,990 This work paves the way for more precise studies of neutron star mergers. 20 00:01:34,990 --> 00:01:39,380 More observations like this one help us understand more about the universe. 21 00:01:39,380 --> 00:01:46,815 [ MUSIC ]