Published May 25, 2009 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

Dark Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Swift Era

Creators

  • 1. NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow, NSSTC, 320 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35805 (United States)
  • 2. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, NSSTC, 320 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 38505 (United States)
  • 3. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 (United States)
  • 4. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH (United Kingdom)
  • 5. Astronomical Institute, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 403, 1098 SJ Amsterdam (Netherlands)
  • 6. CRESST/Joint Center for Astrophysics, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, 21250 (United States)
  • 7. Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802 (United States)

Description

We propose a new method for the classification of optically dark gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), based on the X-ray and optical-to-X-ray spectral indices of GRB afterglows, and utilizing the spectral capabilities of Swift. This method depends less on model assumptions than previous methods, and can be used as a quick diagnostic tool to identify optically sub-luminous bursts. With this method we can also find GRBs that are extremely bright at optical wavelengths. We show that the previously suggested correlation between the optical darkness and the X-ray/gamma-ray brightness is merely an observational selection effect.

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1063/1.3155876;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
AIP Conference Proceedings
Journal Volume
1133
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
p. 193-198
ISSN
0094-243X
CODEN
APCPCS

Conference

Title
6. Huntsville symposium on gamma-ray burst
Dates
20-23 Oct 2008
Place
Huntsville, AL (United States)

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
41049028
Subject category
S79: ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY;
Resource subtype / Literary indicator
Conference
Descriptors DEI
AFTERGLOW; BRIGHTNESS; CORRELATIONS; COSMIC GAMMA BURSTS; COSMIC GAMMA SOURCES; COSMIC PHOTONS; COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES; GAMMA ASTRONOMY; GAMMA DETECTION; GAMMA RADIATION; TELESCOPE COUNTERS; X RADIATION; X-RAY DETECTION
Descriptors DEC
ASTRONOMY; BOSONS; COSMIC RADIATION; COSMIC RAY SOURCES; DETECTION; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; ELEMENTARY PARTICLES; IONIZING RADIATIONS; MASSLESS PARTICLES; OPTICAL PROPERTIES; PHOTONS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; PRIMARY COSMIC RADIATION; RADIATION DETECTION; RADIATIONS

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2009 American Institute of Physics