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Free Neutrons Could Flash Before the Kilonova Glows

Radiative-transfer models shift from X-rays in minutes to ultraviolet over hours, with a distinct far-UV bump from tiny neutron masses.

Published Updated Story ID: mp-2026-09-10-018
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Summary

Radiative-transfer models shift from X-rays in minutes to ultraviolet over hours, with a distinct far-UV bump from tiny neutron masses.

The simulations predict that as little as ten-millionth of a solar mass in free neutrons can alter the ultraviolet light curve. UVEX and ULTRASAT could test the model after future neutron-star mergers.

Why it matters

Radiative-transfer models shift from X-rays in minutes to ultraviolet over hours, with a distinct far-UV bump from tiny neutron masses.

Limits and context

No additional limitation was separately recorded.

Key claims

  1. Radiative-transfer models shift from X-rays in minutes to ultraviolet over hours, with a distinct far-UV bump from tiny neutron masses.

    Evidence: source-2026-09-10-020

Sources

  1. arXiv preprint 2609.09311arXiv · primary research

Corrections

No corrections have been recorded for this story.