scholarly journals GRB 100816A and the nature of intermediate duration gamma-ray bursts

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S279) ◽  
pp. 415-416
Author(s):  
Rachel L. Tunnicliffe ◽  
Andrew Levan
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Host Galaxy ◽  
Short Grbs

AbstractGamma-ray bursts are normally split into two classes, primarily determined by their observed duration, so called long (> 2s) and short (< 2s) GRBs. There have been many claims of a third duration class, with emission lasting for intermediate periods between 2 - 5s, although the reality of this class remains controversial. Here, we investigate this further utilising the 2.9s duration, spectrally hard GRB 100816A. This burst lies well offset from its host galaxy, has no evidence for an associated supernova (albeit to only moderately constraining limits), and has properties which appear to be genuinely intermediate between long- and short- population bursts. We extend this analysis by comparing the physical locations of a population of intermediate duration GRBs with those of short-GRBs and long-GRBs, concluding that the intermediate sample is indistinguishable from the long-GRB population, whose locations are very different from other transients.

scholarly journals Constraints on the circumburst environments of short gamma-ray bursts

2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (4) ◽  
pp. 4782-4799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan O’Connor ◽  
Paz Beniamini ◽  
Chryssa Kouveliotou
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Galactic Halo ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Host Galaxy ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
Binary Neutron Star ◽  
Range Of Values ◽  
Short Grbs

ABSTRACT Observational follow up of well localized short gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs) has left $20\!-\!30{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the population without a coincident host galaxy association to deep optical and NIR limits (≳26 mag). These SGRBs have been classified as observationally hostless due to their lack of strong host associations. It has been argued that these hostless SGRBs could be an indication of the large distances traversed by the binary neutron star system (due to natal kicks) between its formation and its merger (leading to an SGRB). The distances of GRBs from their host galaxies can be indirectly probed by the surrounding circumburst densities. We show that a lower limit on those densities can be obtained from early afterglow light curves. We find that ${\lesssim}16{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of short GRBs in our sample took place at densities ≲10−4 cm−3. These densities represent the expected range of values at distances greater than the host galaxy’s virial radii. We find that out of the five SGRBs in our sample that have been found to be observationally hostless, none are consistent with having occurred beyond the virial radius of their birth galaxies. This implies one of two scenarios. Either these observationally hostless SGRBs occurred outside of the half-light radius of their host galaxy, but well within the galactic halo, or in host galaxies at moderate to high redshifts (z ≳ 2) that were missed by follow-up observations.

scholarly journals Limits on quantum gravity effects from Swift short gamma-ray bursts

2017 ◽  
Vol 607 ◽  
pp. A121 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Bernardini ◽  
G. Ghirlanda ◽  
S. Campana ◽  
P. D’Avanzo ◽  
J.-L. Atteia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Gravity ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Lorentz Invariance ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Energy Separation ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Spectral Evolution ◽  
Short Grbs

The delay in arrival times between high and low energy photons from cosmic sources can be used to test the violation of the Lorentz invariance (LIV), predicted by some quantum gravity theories, and to constrain its characteristic energy scale EQG that is of the order of the Planck energy. Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and blazars are ideal for this purpose thanks to their broad spectral energy distribution and cosmological distances: at first order approximation, the constraints on EQG are proportional to the photon energy separation and the distance of the source. However, the LIV tiny contribution to the total time delay can be dominated by intrinsic delays related to the physics of the sources: long GRBs typically show a delay between high and low energy photons related to their spectral evolution (spectral lag). Short GRBs have null intrinsic spectral lags and are therefore an ideal tool to measure any LIV effect. We considered a sample of 15 short GRBs with known redshift observed by Swift and we estimate a limit on EQG ≳ 1.5 × 1016 GeV. Our estimate represents an improvement with respect to the limit obtained with a larger (double) sample of long GRBs and is more robust than the estimates on single events because it accounts for the intrinsic delay in a statistical sense.

Swift observations of gamma-ray bursts

2007 ◽  
Vol 365 (1854) ◽  
pp. 1119-1128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Gehrels
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Optical Observations ◽  
Nearby Galaxy ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Short Grbs

Since its launch on 20 November 2004, the Swift mission has been detecting approximately 100 gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) each year, and immediately (within approx. 90 s) starting simultaneous X-ray and UV/optical observations of the afterglow. It has already collected an impressive database, including prompt emission to higher sensitivities than BATSE, uniform monitoring of afterglows and a rapid follow-up by other observatories notified through the GCN. Advances in our understanding of short GRBs have been spectacular. The detection of X-ray afterglows has led to accurate localizations and the conclusion that short GRBs can occur in non-star-forming galaxies or regions, whereas long GRBs are strongly concentrated within the star-forming regions. This is consistent with the NS merger model. Swift has greatly increased the redshift range of GRB detection. The highest redshift GRBs, at z ∼5–6, are approaching the era of reionization. Ground-based deep optical spectroscopy of high redshift bursts is giving metallicity measurements and other information on the source environment to a much greater distance than other techniques. The localization of GRB 060218 to a nearby galaxy, and the association with SN 2006aj, added a valuable member to the class of GRBs with detected supernova.

scholarly journals The properties of prompt emission in short gamma-ray bursts with extended emission observed by Fermi/GBM

2020 ◽  
Vol 492 (3) ◽  
pp. 3622-3630
Author(s):  
Lin Lan ◽  
Rui-Jingi Lu ◽  
Hou-Jun Lü ◽  
Jun Shen ◽  
Jared Rice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Large Scatter ◽  
Intrinsic Properties ◽  
Temporal Properties ◽  
Peak Energy ◽  
Peak Flux ◽  
Short Grbs ◽  
Prompt Emission ◽  
Extended Emission

ABSTRACT Short gamma-ray bursts (GRB) with extended emission (EE) that are composed of an initial short hard spike followed by a long-lasting EE are thought to comprise a sucategory of short GRBs. The narrow energy band available during the Swift era, combined with a lack of spectral information, prevented the discovery of the intrinsic properties of these events. In this paper, we perform a systematic search of short GRBs with EE using all available Fermi/GBM data. The search identified 26 GBM-detected short GRBs with EE that are similar to GRB 060614 observed by Swift/BAT. We focus on investigating the spectral and temporal properties of both the hard spike and the EE component of all 26 GRBs, and explore differences and possible correlations between them. We find that while the peak energy (Ep) of the hard spikes is slightly harder than that of the EE, their fluences are comparable. The harder Ep seems to correspond to a larger fluence and peak flux, with a large scatter for both the hard spike and the EE component. Moreover, the Ep of both the hard spike and the EE are compared with other short GRBs. Finally, we also compare the properties of GRB 170817A with those of short GRBs with EE and find no significant statistical differences between them. We find that GRB 170817A has the lowest Ep, probably because it is off-axis.

Precursors of short gamma-ray bursts detected by the INTEGRAL observatory

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 1844013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Minaev ◽  
Alexei Pozanenko ◽  
Sergei Molkov
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Light Curve ◽  
Relative Intensity ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Upper Limits ◽  
Short Grbs

We have analyzed the light curves of 527 short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) registered by the SPI-ACS, SPI and IBIS/ISGRI experiments of INTEGRAL observatory totally to search for precursors. Both the light curves of each 527 individual burst and the averaged light curve of 372 brightest SPI-ACS bursts have been analyzed. In a few cases, we have found and investigated precursor candidates using SPI-ACS, SPI and IBIS/ISGRI of INTEGRAL, GBM and LAT of Fermi data. No convincing evidence for the existence of precursors of short GRBs has been found. A statistical analysis of the averaged light curve for the sample of brightest short bursts has revealed no regular precursor. Upper limits for the relative intensity of precursors have been estimated. We show that the fraction of short GRBs with precursors is less than 0.4% of all short bursts, detected by INTEGRAL.

scholarly journals Evidence of two spectral breaks in the prompt emission of gamma-ray bursts

2019 ◽  
Vol 625 ◽  
pp. A60 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Ravasio ◽  
G. Ghirlanda ◽  
L. Nava ◽  
G. Ghisellini
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Emission Region ◽  
Peak Energy ◽  
Standard Scenario ◽  
Low Magnetic Field ◽  
Short Grbs ◽  
Prompt Emission ◽  
Good Agreement

The long-lasting tension between the observed spectra of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and the predicted synchrotron emission spectrum might be solved if electrons do not completely cool. Evidence of incomplete cooling was recently found in Swift GRBs with prompt observations down to 0.1 keV, and in one bright Fermi burst, GRB 160625B. Here we systematically search for evidence of incomplete cooling in the spectra of the ten brightest short and long GRBs observed by Fermi. We find that in eight out of ten long GRBs there is compelling evidence of a low-energy break (below the peak energy) and good agreement with the photon indices of the synchrotron spectrum (respectively −2/3 and −3/2 below the break and between the break and the peak energy). Interestingly, none of the ten short GRBs analysed shows a break, but the low-energy spectral slope is consistent with −2/3. In a standard scenario, these results imply a very low magnetic field in the emission region (B′∼10 G in the comoving frame), at odd with expectations.

scholarly journals The case for a high-redshift origin of GRB 100205A

2019 ◽  
Vol 488 (1) ◽  
pp. 902-909
Author(s):  
A A Chrimes ◽  
A J Levan ◽  
E R Stanway ◽  
E Berger ◽  
J S Bloom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Host Galaxy ◽  
Late Time ◽  
Time Limits

Abstract The number of long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) known to have occurred in the distant Universe (z &gt; 5) is small (∼15); however, these events provide a powerful way of probing star formation at the onset of galaxy evolution. In this paper, we present the case for GRB 100205A being a largely overlooked high-redshift event. While initially noted as a high-z candidate, this event and its host galaxy have not been explored in detail. By combining optical and near-infrared Gemini afterglow imaging (at t &lt; 1.3 d since burst) with deep late-time limits on host emission from the Hubble Space Telescope, we show that the most likely scenario is that GRB 100205A arose in the range 4 &lt; z &lt; 8. GRB 100205A is an example of a burst whose afterglow, even at ∼1 h post burst, could only be identified by 8-m class IR observations, and suggests that such observations of all optically dark bursts may be necessary to significantly enhance the number of high-redshift GRBs known.

Gamma-ray bursts and cosmology

2007 ◽  
Vol 365 (1854) ◽  
pp. 1363-1376 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.Q Lamb
Keyword(s):  
Dark Energy ◽  
Early Universe ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Scientific Results ◽  
Short Grbs ◽  
Very High

I review the current status of the use of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) as probes of the early Universe and cosmology. I describe the promise of long GRBs as probes of the high redshift ( z >4) and very high redshift ( z >5) Universe, and several key scientific results that have come from observations made possible by accurate, rapid localizations of these bursts by Swift. I then estimate the fraction of long GRBs that lie at very high redshifts and discuss ways in which it may be possible to rapidly identify—and therefore study—a larger number of these bursts. Finally, I discuss the ways in which both long and short GRBs can be made ‘standard candles’ and used to constrain the properties of dark energy.

scholarly journals No supernovae detected in two long-duration gamma-ray bursts

2007 ◽  
Vol 365 (1854) ◽  
pp. 1269-1275 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Watson ◽  
J.P.U Fynbo ◽  
C.C Thöne ◽  
J Sollerman
Keyword(s):  
Massive Star ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Compact Star ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Host Galaxy ◽  
Core Collapse ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Spiral Arm

There is strong evidence that long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are produced during the collapse of a massive star. In the standard version of the collapsar model, a broad-lined and luminous Type Ic core-collapse supernova (SN) accompanies the GRB. This association has been confirmed in observations of several nearby GRBs. Recent observations show that some long-duration GRBs are different. No SN emission accompanied the long-duration GRBs 060505 and 060614 down to limits fainter than any known Type Ic SN and hundreds of times fainter than the archetypal SN 1998bw that accompanied GRB 980425. Multi-band observations of the early afterglows, as well as spectroscopy of the host galaxies, exclude the possibility of significant dust obscuration. Furthermore, the bursts originated in star-forming galaxies, and in the case of GRB 060505, the burst was localized to a compact star-forming knot in a spiral arm of its host galaxy. We find that the properties of the host galaxies, the long duration of the bursts and, in the case of GRB 060505, the location of the burst within its host, all imply a massive stellar origin. The absence of an SN to such deep limits therefore suggests a new phenomenological type of massive stellar death.

scholarly journals Gamma-ray Bursts

2005 ◽  
Vol 192 ◽  
pp. 459-466
Author(s):  
Alberto J. Castro-Tirado
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Compact Objects ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Multi Wavelength ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Short Grbs

SummarySince their discovery in 1967 Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have been puzzling to astrophysicists. With the advent of a new generation of X–ray satellites in the late 90’s, it was possible to carry out deep multi-wavelength observations of the counterparts associated with the long duration GRBs class just within a few hours of occurrence, thanks to the observation of the fading X-ray emission that follows the more energetic gamma-ray photons once the GRB event has ended. The fact that this emission (the afterglow) extends at longer wavelengths, led to the discovery of optical/IR/radio counterparts in 1997-2003, greatly improving our understanding of these sources. The classical, long duration GRBs, have been observed to originate at cosmological distances in a range of redshifts with 0.1685 ≤ z ≤ 4.50 implying energy releases of ~ 1051 ergs. The recent results on GRB 021004 and GRB 030329 confirm that the central engines that power these extraordinary events are due to be collapse of massive stars rather than the merging of compact objects as previously also suggested. Short GRBs still remain a mystery as no counterparts have been detected so far.

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