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Astronomers using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope
have found a jet propelled through space at

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nearly the speed of light by the titanic collision
between two neutron stars, which are the collapsed

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cores of massive supergiant stars.

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The explosive event, observed on August 17,
2017. was the first combined detection of

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gravitational waves and gamma radiation from
the merger of binary neutron stars.

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This discovery prompted scientists to quickly
aim Hubble at the site of the explosion.

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A total of 70 observatories around the globe
and in space collectively gathered data across

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the electromagnetic spectrum of the merger’s
aftermath.

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Astronomers used Hubble’s capabilities to
precisely measure the position and movements

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of the explosion’s shockwave.

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They were trying to see how the shockwave’s
physical properties changed over time.

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Combining Hubble observations with that of
several other telescopes, allowed researchers

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to pinpoint the explosion site 130 million
light-years away.

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The data suggests the blast’s shockwave
traveled along a narrow beam confined by powerful

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magnetic fields.

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The resulting jet smashed into and swept up
material in the surrounding interstellar medium.

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This material included a mass of radiation
through which the jet emerged.

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As the jet moved away from the site of the
explosion, the mass moved outward.

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This work paves the way for more precise studies
of neutron star mergers.

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More observations like this one help us understand
more about the universe.

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