Swift Observations of Gamma Ray Bursts

Journal Article · Thu Jan 10 04:00:00 EST 2008 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2840439· OSTI ID:21043554

Gehrels, Neil ^[1]

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1. Astroparticle Physics Laboratory NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD 20771 (United States)

Since its launch on 20 November 2004, the Swift mission is detecting {approx}100 gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) each year, and immediately (within {approx}90 s) starting 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 rapid follow-up by other observatories notified through the GCN. The detection of X-ray afterglows have been found to have complex temporal shapes including tails emission from the prompt phase and bright flares. X-ray afterglows from short bursts has led to accurate localizations. It is found that they can occur in non-star forming galaxies or regions, whereas long GRBs are strongly concentrated within 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{approx}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 much greater distance than other techniques. The localization of GRB 060218 to a nearby galaxy, and association with SN 2006aj, added a valuable member to the class of GRBs with detected supernova. The prospects for future progress are excellent give the >10 year orbital lifetime of the Swift satellite.

• OSTI ID: 21043554
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 968; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AFTERGLOW
ASTROPHYSICS
COSMIC GAMMA BURSTS
COSMIC GAMMA SOURCES
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
GAMMA DETECTION
LIFETIME
MONITORING
RED SHIFT
SUPERNOVAE
X RADIATION