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The optical afterglow of the short γ-ray burst GRB 050709

Author

Listed:
  • Jens Hjorth

    (University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries Vej)

  • Darach Watson

    (University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries Vej)

  • Johan P. U. Fynbo

    (University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries Vej)

  • Paul A. Price

    (University of Hawaii)

  • Brian L. Jensen

    (University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries Vej)

  • Uffe G. Jørgensen

    (University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries Vej)

  • Daniel Kubas

    (ESO Santiago)

  • Javier Gorosabel

    (Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC))

  • Páll Jakobsson

    (University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries Vej)

  • Jesper Sollerman

    (University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries Vej
    Stockholm University, AlbaNova)

  • Kristian Pedersen

    (University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries Vej)

  • Chryssa Kouveliotou

    (National Space Science Technology Center)

Abstract

Short gamma-ray bursts Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are either ‘long and soft’, or ‘short and hard’. The long-duration type leave a strong afterglow and have been extensively studied. So we have a good idea of what causes them: explosions of massive stars in distant star-forming galaxies. Short GRBs, with no strong afterglow, were harder to pin down. The Swift satellite, launched last November, is designed to study bursts as soon as they happen. Having shown its worth with long GRBs (reported in the 18 August issue of Nature), Swift has now bagged a short burst, GRB 050509B, precisely measured its location and detected the X-ray afterglow. Four papers this week report on this and another recent short burst. Now, over 20 years after they were first recognized, the likely origin of the short GRBs is revealed as a merger between neutron stars of a binary system and the instantaneous production of a black hole.

Suggested Citation

  • Jens Hjorth & Darach Watson & Johan P. U. Fynbo & Paul A. Price & Brian L. Jensen & Uffe G. Jørgensen & Daniel Kubas & Javier Gorosabel & Páll Jakobsson & Jesper Sollerman & Kristian Pedersen & Chryss, 2005. "The optical afterglow of the short γ-ray burst GRB 050709," Nature, Nature, vol. 437(7060), pages 859-861, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:437:y:2005:i:7060:d:10.1038_nature04174
    DOI: 10.1038/nature04174
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