RJK band observations of the optical afterglow of GRB 991216

Peter M. Garnavich; Saurabh Jha; Michael A. Pahre; Krzysztof Z. Stanek; Robert P. Kirshner; Michael R. Garcia; Andrew H. Szentgyorgyi; John L. Tonry

doi:10.1086/317102

RJK band observations of the optical afterglow of GRB 991216

Peter M. Garnavich, Saurabh Jha, Michael A. Pahre, Krzysztof Z. Stanek, Robert P. Kirshner, Michael R. Garcia, Andrew H. Szentgyorgyi, John L. Tonry

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21 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present near-infrared and optical observations of the afterglow to the gamma-ray burst 991216 obtained with the Fred L. Whipple Observatory 1.2 m telescope and the University of Hawaii 2.2 m telescope. The observations range from 15 hours to 3.8 days after the burst. The temporal behavior of the data is well described by a single power-law decay t^-1.36±0.04, independent of wavelength. The optical spectral energy distribution, which is corrected for significant Galactic reddening of E(B - V) = 0.626, is well fitted by a single power law with v^-0.58±0.08. Combining the IR/optical observations with a Chandra X-Ray Observatory measurement gives a spectral index of -0.8 ± 0.1 in the synchrotron cooling regime. A comparison between the spectral and temporal power-law indices suggests that a jet is a better match to the observations than a simple spherical shock.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	61-65
Number of pages	5
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	543
Issue number	1 PART 1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/317102
State	Published - Nov 1 2000
Externally published	Yes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

Gamma rays: bursts
Shock waves

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10.1086/317102

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title = "RJK band observations of the optical afterglow of GRB 991216",

abstract = "We present near-infrared and optical observations of the afterglow to the gamma-ray burst 991216 obtained with the Fred L. Whipple Observatory 1.2 m telescope and the University of Hawaii 2.2 m telescope. The observations range from 15 hours to 3.8 days after the burst. The temporal behavior of the data is well described by a single power-law decay t-1.36±0.04, independent of wavelength. The optical spectral energy distribution, which is corrected for significant Galactic reddening of E(B - V) = 0.626, is well fitted by a single power law with v-0.58±0.08. Combining the IR/optical observations with a Chandra X-Ray Observatory measurement gives a spectral index of -0.8 ± 0.1 in the synchrotron cooling regime. A comparison between the spectral and temporal power-law indices suggests that a jet is a better match to the observations than a simple spherical shock.",

keywords = "Gamma rays: bursts, Shock waves",

author = "Garnavich, {Peter M.} and Saurabh Jha and Pahre, {Michael A.} and Stanek, {Krzysztof Z.} and Kirshner, {Robert P.} and Garcia, {Michael R.} and Szentgyorgyi, {Andrew H.} and Tonry, {John L.}",

year = "2000",

month = nov,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1086/317102",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "543",

pages = "61--65",

journal = "Astrophysical Journal",

issn = "0004-637X",

publisher = "IOP Publishing Ltd.",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - RJK band observations of the optical afterglow of GRB 991216

AU - Garnavich, Peter M.

AU - Jha, Saurabh

AU - Pahre, Michael A.

AU - Stanek, Krzysztof Z.

AU - Kirshner, Robert P.

AU - Garcia, Michael R.

AU - Szentgyorgyi, Andrew H.

AU - Tonry, John L.

PY - 2000/11/1

Y1 - 2000/11/1

N2 - We present near-infrared and optical observations of the afterglow to the gamma-ray burst 991216 obtained with the Fred L. Whipple Observatory 1.2 m telescope and the University of Hawaii 2.2 m telescope. The observations range from 15 hours to 3.8 days after the burst. The temporal behavior of the data is well described by a single power-law decay t-1.36±0.04, independent of wavelength. The optical spectral energy distribution, which is corrected for significant Galactic reddening of E(B - V) = 0.626, is well fitted by a single power law with v-0.58±0.08. Combining the IR/optical observations with a Chandra X-Ray Observatory measurement gives a spectral index of -0.8 ± 0.1 in the synchrotron cooling regime. A comparison between the spectral and temporal power-law indices suggests that a jet is a better match to the observations than a simple spherical shock.

AB - We present near-infrared and optical observations of the afterglow to the gamma-ray burst 991216 obtained with the Fred L. Whipple Observatory 1.2 m telescope and the University of Hawaii 2.2 m telescope. The observations range from 15 hours to 3.8 days after the burst. The temporal behavior of the data is well described by a single power-law decay t-1.36±0.04, independent of wavelength. The optical spectral energy distribution, which is corrected for significant Galactic reddening of E(B - V) = 0.626, is well fitted by a single power law with v-0.58±0.08. Combining the IR/optical observations with a Chandra X-Ray Observatory measurement gives a spectral index of -0.8 ± 0.1 in the synchrotron cooling regime. A comparison between the spectral and temporal power-law indices suggests that a jet is a better match to the observations than a simple spherical shock.

KW - Gamma rays: bursts

KW - Shock waves

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U2 - 10.1086/317102

DO - 10.1086/317102

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AN - SCOPUS:5844238959

SN - 0004-637X

VL - 543

SP - 61

EP - 65

JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

IS - 1 PART 1

ER -

RJK band observations of the optical afterglow of GRB 991216

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Keywords

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