M. Tanga

A very luminous magnetar-powered supernova associated with an ultra-long gamma-ray burst

A new class of ultra-long-duration (more than 10,000 seconds) γ-ray bursts has recently been suggested. They may originate in the explosion of stars with much larger radii than those producing normal long-duration γ-ray bursts or in the tidal disruption of a star. No clear supernova has yet been associated with an ultra-long-duration γ-ray burst. Here we report that a supernova (SN 2011kl) was associated with the ultra-long-duration γ-ray burst GRB 111209A, at a redshift z of 0.677. This supernova is more than three times more luminous than type Ic supernovae associated with long-duration γ-ray bursts, and its spectrum is distinctly different. The slope of the continuum resembles those of super-luminous supernovae, but extends further down into the rest-frame ultraviolet implying a low metal content. The light curve evolves much more rapidly than those of super-luminous supernovae. This combination of high luminosity and low metal-line opacity cannot be reconciled with typical type Ic supernovae, but can be reproduced by a model where extra energy is injected by a strongly magnetized neutron star (a magnetar), which has also been proposed as the explanation for super-luminous supernovae.

Gamma-Ray Bursts trace uv metrics of star formation over 3 < z < 5

We present the first uniform treatment of long duration gamma-ray burst (GRB) host galaxy detections and upper limits over the redshift range , a key epoch for observational and theoretical efforts to understand the processes, environments, and consequences of early cosmic star formation (SF). We contribute deep imaging observations of 13 GRB positions yielding the discovery of 8 new host galaxies. We use this data set in tandem with previously published observations of 31 further GRB positions to estimate or constrain the host galaxy rest-frame ultraviolet (UV; ?) absolute magnitudes . We then use the combined set of 44 estimates and limits to construct the luminosity function (LF) for GRB host galaxies over and compare it to expectations from Lyman break galaxy (LBG) photometric surveys with the Hubble Space Telescope. Adopting standard prescriptions for the luminosity dependence of galaxy dust obscuration (and hence, total SF rate), we find that our LF is compatible with LBG observations over a factor of 600? in host luminosity, from = ?22.5 mag to >?15.6 mag, and with extrapolations of the assumed Schechter-type LF well beyond this range. We review proposed astrophysical and observational biases for our sample, and find that they are for the most part minimal. We therefore conclude, as the simplest interpretation of our results, that GRBs successfully trace UV metrics of cosmic SF over the range . Our findings suggest that GRBs provide an accurate picture of star formation processes from out to the highest redshifts.

Super-solar metallicity at the position of the ultra-long GRB 130925A

Over the last decade there has been immense progress in the follow-up of short and long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), resulting in a significant rise in the detection rate of X-ray and optical afterglows, in the determination of GRB redshifts, and of the identification of the underlying host galaxies. Nevertheless, our theoretical understanding of the progenitors and central engines powering these vast explosions is lagging behind, and a newly identified class of ultra-long GRBs has fuelled speculation on the existence of a new channel of GRB formation. In this paper we present high signal-to-noise X-shooter observations of the host galaxy of GRB 130925A, which is the fourth unambiguously identified ultra-long GRB, with prompt -ray emission detected for 20 ks. The GRB line of sight was close to the host galaxy nucleus, and our spectroscopic observations cover this region along the bulge/disk of the galaxy, and a bright star-forming region within the outskirts of the galaxy. From our broad wavelength coverage, we obtain accurate metallicity and dust-extinction measurements at the galaxy nucleus and at an outer star-forming region, and measure a super-solar metallicity at both locations, placing this galaxy within the 10 20% most metal-rich GRB host galaxies. Such a high metal enrichment has significant implications on the progenitor models of both long and ultra-long GRBs, although the edge-on orientation of the host galaxy does not allow us to rule out a large metallicity variation along our line of sight. The spatially resolved spectroscopic observations presented in this paper offer important insight into variations in the metal and dust abundance within GRB host galaxies. However, they also illustrate the need for integral field unit observations on a larger sample of GRB host galaxies of a variety of metallicities to provide a more quantitative view on the relation between the GRB circumburst environment and the galaxy-whole properties.

GROND coverage of the main peak of gamma-ray burst 130925A

Aims. Prompt or early optical emission in gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) is notoriously difficult to measure, and observations of the dozen cases show a large variety of properties. Yet, such early emission promises to help us achieve a better understanding of the GRB emission process(es). Methods. We performed dedicated observations of the ultra-long duration (T90 about 7000 s) Swift GRB 130925A in the optical/nearinfrared with the 7-channel Gamma-Ray burst Optical and Near-infrared Detector (GROND) at the 2.2 m MPG/ESO telescope. Results. We detect an optical/near-infrared flare with an amplitude of nearly 2 mag which is delayed with respect to the keV−MeV prompt emission by about 300−400 s. The decay time of this flare is shorter than the duration of the flare (500 s) or its delay. Conclusions. While we cannot offer a straightforward explanation, we discuss the implications of the flare properties and suggest ways toward understanding it.

Prompt emission of GRB 121217A from gamma-rays to the near-infrared

The mechanism that causes the prompt-emission episode of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) is still widely debated despite there being thousands of prompt detections. The favoured internal shock model relates this emission to synchrotron radiation. However, it does not always explain the spectral indices of the shape of the spectrum, which is often fit with empirical functions, such as the Band function. Multi-wavelength observations are therefore required to help investigate the possible underlying mechanisms that causes the prompt emission. We present GRB 121217A, for which we were able to observe its near-infrared (NIR) emission during a secondary prompt-emission episode with the Gamma-Ray burst Optical Near-infrared Detector (GROND) in combination with the Swift and Fermi satellites, which cover an energy range of 5 orders of magnitude (10 −3 keV to 100 keV). We determine a photometric redshift of z = 3.1 ± 0.1 with a line-of-sight with little or no extinction (AV ∼ 0mag) utilising the optical/NIR SED. From the afterglow, we determine a bulk Lorentz factor of Γ0 ∼ 250 and an emission radius of R < 10 18 cm. The prompt-emission broadband spectral energy distribution is wellfit with a broken power law withβ1 = −0.3±0.1 andβ2 = 0.6±0.1 that has a break at E = 6.6±0.9 keV, which can be interpreted as the maximum injection frequency. Self-absorption by the electron population below energies of Ea < 6 keV suggest a magnetic field strength of B ∼ 10 5 G. However, all the best fit models underpredict the flux observed in the NIR wavelengths, which also only rebrightens by a factor of ∼2 during the second prompt emission episode, in stark contrast to the X-ray emission, which rebrightens by a factor of ∼100. This suggests an afterglow component is dominating the emission. We present GRB 121217A, one of the few GRBs that has multi-wavelength observations of the prompt-emission period and shows that it can be understood with a synchrotron radiation model. However, due to the complexity of the GRB’s emission, other mechanisms that result in Band-like spectra cannot be ruled out.

The Optical/NIR afterglow of GRB 111209A: Complex yet not Unprecedented

Context. Afterglows of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are simple in the most basic model, but can show many complex features. The ultra-long duration GRB 111209A, one of the longest GRBs ever detected, also has the best-monitored afterglow in this rare class of GRBs. Aims. We want to address the question whether GRB 111209A was a special event beyond its extreme duration alone, and whether it is a classical GRB or another kind of high-energy transient. The afterglow may yield significant clues. Methods. We present afterglow photometry obtained in seven bands with the GROND imager as well as in further seven bands with the Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope (UVOT) on-board the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. The light curve is analysed by multi-band modelling and joint fitting with power-laws and broken power-laws, and we use the contemporaneous GROND data to study the evolution of the spectral energy distribution. We compare the optical afterglow to a large ensemble we have analysed in earlier works, and especially to that of another ultra-long event, GRB 130925A. We furthermore undertake a photometric study of the host galaxy. Results. We find a strong, chromatic rebrightening event at ≈0.8 days after the GRB, during which the spectral slope becomes redder. After this, the light curve decays achromatically, with evidence for a break at about 9 days after the trigger. The afterglow luminosity is found to not be exceptional. We find that a double-jet model is able to explain the chromatic rebrightening. The afterglow features have been detected in other events and are not unique. Conclusions. The duration aside, the GRB prompt emission and afterglow parameters of GRB 111209A are in agreement with the known distributions for these parameters. While the central engine of this event may differ from that of classical GRBs, there are multiple lines of evidence pointing to GRB 111209A resulting from the core-collapse of a massive star with a stripped envelope.

The environment of the SN-less GRB 111005A at z = 0.0133

The collapsar model has proved highly successful in explaining the properties of long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), with the most direct confirmation being the detection of a supernova (SN) coincident with the majority of nearby long GRBs. Within this model, a long GRB is produced by the core-collapse of a metal-poor, rapidly rotating, massive star. The detection of some long GRBs in metal-rich environments, and more fundamentally the three examples of long GRBs (GRB 060505, GRB 060614 and GRB 11005A) with no coincident SN detection down to very deep limits is in strong contention with theoretical expectations. In this paper we present MUSE observations of the host galaxy of GRB 111005A, which is the most recent and compelling example yet of a SN-less, long GRB. At z = 0.01326, GRB 111005A is the second closest GRB ever detected, enabling the nearby environment to be studied at an unprecedented resolution of 100 pc^2. From the analysis of the MUSE data cube, we find GRB 111005A to have occurred within a metal-rich environment with little signs of ongoing star formation. Spectral analysis at the position of the GRB indicates the presence of an old stellar population (age>=10 Myr), which limits the mass of the GRB progenitor to M_(ZAMS) < 15 Msun, in direct conflict with the collapsar model. Our deep limits on the presence of any SN emission combined with the environmental conditions at the position of GRB 111005A necessitate the exploration of a novel long GRB formation mechanism that is unrelated to massive stars.

Long optical plateau in the afterglow of the short GRB 150424A with extended emission - Evidence for energy injection by a magnetar?

Context. Short-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) with extended emission form a subclass of short GRBs, comprising about 15% of the short-duration sample. Afterglow detections of short GRBs are also rare (about 30%) because of their lower luminosity. Aims. We present a multiband data set of the short burst with extended emission, GRB 150424A, comprising of GROND observations, complemented with data from Swift/UVOT, Swift/XRT, HST, Keck/LRIS, and data points from the literature. The GRB 150424A afterglow shows an extended plateau phase, lasting about 8 h. The analysis of this unique GRB afterglow might shed light on the understanding of afterglow plateau emission, the nature of which is still under debate. Methods. We present a phenomenological analysis made by applying fireball closure relations and interpret the findings in the context of the fireball model. We discuss the plausibility of a magnetar as a central engine, which would be responsible for additional and prolonged energy injection into the fireball. Results. We find convincing evidence for energy injection into the afterglow of GRB 150424A. We find that a magnetar spin-down as the source for a prolonged energy injection requires that at least 4% of the spin-down energy is converted into radiation.

Microphysics and dynamics of the gamma-ray burst 121024A

Aims. The aim of the study is to constrain the physics of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) by analysing the multi-wavelength afterglow data set of GRB 121024A that covers the full range from radio to X-rays. Methods. Using multi-epoch broad-band observations of the GRB 121024A afterglow, we measured the three characteristic break frequencies of the synchrotron spectrum. We used six epochs of combined XRT and GROND data to constrain the temporal slopes, the dust extinction, the X-ray absorption, and the spectral slope with high accuracy. Two more epochs of combined data from XRT, GROND, APEX, CARMA, and EVLA were used to set constraints on the break frequencies and therefore on the micro-physical and dynamical parameters. Results. The XRT and GROND light curves show a simultaneous and achromatic break at around 49 ks. As a result, the crossing of the synchrotron cooling break is no suitable explanation for the break in the light curve. The multi wavelength data allow us to test two plausible scenarios explaining the break: a jet break, and the end of energy injection. The jet-break scenario requires a hard electron spectrum, a very low cooling break frequency, and a non-spreading jet. The energy injection avoids these problems, but requires

Identifying the host galaxy of the short GRB 100628A

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