Abstract

Abstract The binary neutron star merger GW170817 is the first and only astronomical object with a joint detection of gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation. Here we report the results from deep Chandra X-ray observations of GW170817 at δt ∼ 940 days post merger. We find evidence for X-ray emission with flux F x = ( 2.24 + 0.97 − 0.96 ) × 10 − 15 erg cm − 2 s − 1 (L x = 4.29 + 1.86 − 1.84 × 10 38 erg s − 1 , 0.3–10 keV). This flux is consistent with the expected late-time evolution of non-thermal emission from an off-axis structured jet and it is now approaching the sensitivity threshold of current X-ray instrumentation. Future observations might reveal the emergence of the kilonova afterglow.

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