{
  "id": "2405.20329",
  "version": "v1",
  "published": "2024-05-30T17:58:28.000Z",
  "updated": "2024-05-30T17:58:28.000Z",
  "title": "Did Binary Neutron Star Merger GW170817 Leave Behind A Long-lived Neutron Star?",
  "authors": [
    "Marcus DuPont",
    "Andrew MacFadyen"
  ],
  "categories": [
    "astro-ph.HE"
  ],
  "abstract": "We consider the observational implications of the binary neutron star (BNS) merger GW170817 leaving behind a rapidly rotating massive neutron star that launches a relativistic, equatorial outflow as well as a jet. We show that if the equatorial outflow (ring) is highly beamed in the equatorial plane, its luminosity can be \"hidden\" from view until late times, even if carrying a significant fraction of the spin-down energy of the merger remnant. This hidden ring reveals itself as a re-brightening in the light curve once it slows down enough for Earth to be within the ring's relativistic beaming solid angle. We compute semi-analytic light curves using this model and find they are in agreement with the observations thus far, and we provide predictions for the ensuing afterglow.",
  "revisions": [
    {
      "version": "v1",
      "updated": "2024-05-30T17:58:28.000Z"
    }
  ],
  "analyses": {
    "keywords": [
      "binary neutron star merger gw170817",
      "neutron star merger gw170817 leave",
      "long-lived neutron star",
      "relativistic beaming solid angle",
      "rotating massive neutron star"
    ],
    "note": {
      "typesetting": "TeX",
      "pages": 0,
      "language": "en",
      "license": "arXiv",
      "status": "editable"
    }
  }
}