The white dwarf binary merger model of GRB 170817A

Abstract

Following the GRB 170817A prompt emission lasting a fraction of a second, $10^8$ s of data in the X-rays, optical, and radio wavelengths have been acquired. We here present a model that fits the spectra, flux, and time variability of all these emissions, based on the thermal and synchrotron cooling of the expanding matter ejected in a binary white dwarf merger. The $10^{-3}{M}_{\odot }$ of ejecta, expanding at velocities of $10^9$ cm s${}^{-1}$, are powered by the newborn massive, fast rotating, magnetized white dwarf with a mass of $1.3M_{\odot }$, a rotation period of $\gtrsim 12$ s, and a dipole magnetic field $\sim 10^{10}$ G, born in the merger of a $1.0+0.8M_{\odot }$ white dwarf binary. Therefore, the long-lasting mystery of the GRB 170817A nature is solved by the merger of a white dwarf binary that also explains the prompt emission energetics.

To appear in the IJMPD. Plenary talk at the 16th Marcel Grossmann Meeting on Relativistic Astrophysics held on July 5-10, 2021

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