Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2008-01-28
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
50 pages, 22 figures, Accepted for publication in ApJ
Scientific paper
10.1086/586884
We describe and discuss the spectral and temporal characteristics of the prompt emission and X-ray afterglow emission of X-ray flashes (XRFs) and X-ray-rich gamma-ray bursts (XRRs) detected and observed by Swift between December 2004 and September 2006. We compare these characteristics to a sample of conventional classical gamma-ray bursts (C-GRBs) observed during the same period. We confirm the correlation between Epeak_obs and fluence noted by others and find further evidence that XRFs, XRRs and C-GRBs form a continuum. We also confirm that our known redshift sample is consistent with the correlation between the peak energy in the GRB rest frame (Epeak_src) and the isotropic radiated energy (Eiso), so called the Epeak_src-Eiso relation. The spectral properties of X-ray afterglows of XRFs and C-GRBs are similar, but the temporal properties of XRFs and C-GRBs are quite different. We found that the light curves of C-GRB afterglows show a break to steeper indices (shallow-to-steep break) at much earlier times than do XRF afterglows. Moreover, the overall luminosity of XRF X-ray afterglows is systematically smaller by a factor of two or more compared to that of C-GRBs. These distinct differences between the X-ray afterglows of XRFs and C-GRBs may be the key to understanding not only the mysterious shallow-to-steep break in X-ray afterglow light curves, but also the unique nature of XRFs.
Barbier Louis
Barthelmy Scott D.
Cummings Jay R.
Fenimore Edward E.
Gehrels Neil
No associations
LandOfFree
Global Properties of X-Ray Flashes and X-Ray-Rich Gamma-Ray Bursts Observed by Swift 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 Global Properties of X-Ray Flashes and X-Ray-Rich Gamma-Ray Bursts Observed by Swift, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Global Properties of X-Ray Flashes and X-Ray-Rich Gamma-Ray Bursts Observed by Swift will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-157091