GRB080319B: a high resolution spectroscopic view

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Gamma-Ray Sources, Gamma-Ray Bursts, Neutrino, Muon, Pion, And Other Elementary Particle Detectors, Cosmic Ray Detectors, Interstellar Medium And Nebulae In External Galaxies

Scientific paper

GRB080319B reached 5th optical mag during the burst. Thanks to the VLT/UVES rapid response mode, we observed its afterglow just 8m:30s after the GRB onset when R was ~12. This allowed us to obtain the best signal-to-noise, high resolution spectrum of a GRB afterglow ever (S/N ~50). The spectrum is rich of absorption features belonging to the main system at z = 0.937, divided in at least six components spanning a velocity range of 120 km/s. The observations caught the absorbing gas in a highly excited state, producing the strongest FeII fine structure lines ever observed in a GRB. A few hours later the optical depth of these lines was reduced by a factor of 4-20, and the optical/UV flux by a factor of ~60. This proves that the excitation of the observed fine structure lines is due to ``pumping'' by the GRB UV photons. A comparison of the observed ratio between the number of photons absorbed by the excited and ground state of the FeII suggests that the six absorbers are ~18-34 kpc from the GRB site, with component I ~2 times closer to the GRB site than components III to VI. This suggests a structured ISM in this galaxy complex.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

GRB080319B: a high resolution spectroscopic view 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 GRB080319B: a high resolution spectroscopic view, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and GRB080319B: a high resolution spectroscopic view will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1663629

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.