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A kilonova (or macronova) is an explosion more energetic than an ordinary nova but less than a supernova. It stems from the collision of two dense bodies. Typically it is 1000 times brighter than a nova but a tenth or a hundredth of a supernova.
Much of the electromagnetic radiation from a kilonova is thought to occur in the infrared, making OIR observation useful.
GW170817 is classified as a kilonova, confirming the theory that neutron star mergers produce them. The transient faded more rapidly than a supernova.