Colloquium on Dec. 31, 2025

Multi-messenger Insights into Compact Binary Mergers

Speaker: Yuhan Yang (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

Venue: SWIFAR Building 2111

Time: 16:00 PM, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2025

Abstract:

Compact binary mergers are among the most energetic transients in the Universe, producing gravitational waves (GWs) and a wide range of electromagnetic signals across the spectrum. In this talk, I will contrast two recent case studies. The first, GRB 230307A, demonstrates a successful identification of a lanthanide-rich kilonova followed by a long-duration gamma-ray burst, enabled by timely and coordinated optical–infrared observations. The second, AT2025ulz, initially appeared to be a promising kilonova candidate associated with a GW event but was ultimately identified as a supernova, illustrating how incomplete follow-up can lead to misclassification. Together, these examples highlight the critical role of efficient observing strategies in distinguishing genuine merger counterparts from contaminating transients in the multi-messenger era.