Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Swift Era
نویسنده
چکیده
Since the successful launch of NASA’s dedicated gamma-ray burst (GRB) mission, Swift, the study of cosmological GRBs has entered a new era. Here I review the rapid observational and theoretical progress in this dynamical research field during the first two-year of the Swift mission, focusing on how observational breakthroughs have revolutionized our understanding of the physical origins of GRBs. Besides summarizing how Swift helps to solve some pre-Swift mysteries, I also list some outstanding problems raised by the Swift observations. An outlook of GRB science in the future, especially in the GLAST era, is briefly discussed.
منابع مشابه
Gamma-Ray Bursts in the SALT/Swift Era: GRB/SN Connection
Invited talk at the First International Workshop on “Stellar Astrophysics with the World Largest Telescopes”, Toruń, Poland, 7-10 September 2004. I discuss the Gamma Ray Burst research in the era of SALT and Swift, concentrating on the GRB/SN connection.
متن کاملOptical Classification of Gamma-ray Bursts in the Swift Era
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 al...
متن کاملAfterglows of Gamma-Ray Bursts: Short vs. Long GRBs
We compiled a large sample of Swift-era photometric data on long (Type II) and short (Type I) GRB afterglows. We compare the luminosity and energetics of the different samples to each other and to the afterglows of the pre-Swift era. Here, we present the first results of these studies.
متن کاملGamma Ray Bursts in the Swift-Fermi Era
Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are among the most violent occurrences in the universe. They are powerful explosions, visible to high redshift, and thought to be the signature of black hole birth. They are highly luminous events and provide excellent probes of the distant universe. GRB research has greatly advanced over the past 10 years with the results from Swift, Fermi and an active followup communi...
متن کاملThe Synergy of Gamma-ray Burst Detectors in the Glast Era
Simultaneous observations by the large number of gamma-ray burst detectors operating in the GLAST era will provide the spectra, lightcurves and locations necessary for studying burst physics and testing the putative relations between intrinsic burst properties. The detectors’ energy band and the accumulation timescale of their trigger system affect their sensitivity to hard vs. soft and long vs...
متن کامل