Snapshot Identification of Gamma Ray Burst Optical Afterglows

Details Snapshot Identification of Gamma Ray Burst Optical Afterglows Snapshot Identification of Gamma Ray Burst Optical Afterglows

2000-08-29

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0008461v2

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

9 pages; LaTeX manuscript + 5 postscript files comprising 4 figures. Revised version accepted to The Astrophysical Journal. Th

Scientific paper

10.1086/321664

Gamma ray burst afterglows can be identified in single epoch observations using three or more optical filters. This method relies on color measurements to distinguish the power law spectrum of an afterglow from the curved spectra of stars. Observations in a fourth filter will further distinguish between afterglows and most galaxies up to redshifts z ~ 1. Many afterglows can also be identified with fewer filters using ultraviolet excess, infrared excess, or Lyman break techniques. By allowing faster identification of gamma ray burst afterglows, these color methods will increase the fraction of bursts for which optical spectroscopy and other narrow-field observations can be obtained. Because quasar colors can match those of afterglows, the maximum error box size where an unambiguous identification can be expected is set by the flux limit of the afterglow search and the quasar number-flux relation. For currently typical error boxes (10 -- 100 square arcminutes), little contamination is expected at magnitudes R < 21.5 +- 0.5. Archival data demonstrates that the afterglow of GRB 000301C could have been identified using this method. In addition to finding gamma ray burst counterparts, this method will have applications in ``orphan afterglow'' searches used to constrain gamma ray burst collimation.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Snapshot Identification of Gamma Ray Burst Optical Afterglows does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Snapshot Identification of Gamma Ray Burst Optical Afterglows, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Snapshot Identification of Gamma Ray Burst Optical Afterglows will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-268729