An optically led search for kilonovae to z∼0.3 with the Kilonova and Transients Programme (KNTraP)

Abstract

Compact binary mergers detectable in gravitational waves can be accompanied by a kilonova, an electromagnetic transient powered by radioactive decay of newly synthesised r-process elements. A few kilonova candidates have been observed during short gamma-ray burst follow-up, and one found associated with a gravitational wave detection, GW170817. However, robust kilonova candidates are yet to be found in un-triggered, wide-field optical surveys; a search not requiring an initial gravitational wave or gamma-ray burst trigger. Here we present the first observing run for the Kilonova and Transients Programme (KNTraP) using the Dark Energy Camera. The first KNTraP run ran for 11 nights, covering 3..