The properties of the host galaxy and the immediate environment of GRB 980425 / SN 1998bw from the multi-wavelength spectral energy distribution
Michał J. Michałowski, Jens Hjorth, Daniele Malesani, Tadeusz Michałowski, José María Castro Cerón, Robert F. Reinfrank, Michael A. Garrett, Johan P. U. Fynbo, … 展开作者
Michał J. Michałowski, Jens Hjorth, Daniele Malesani, Tadeusz Michałowski, José María Castro Cerón, Robert F. Reinfrank, Michael A. Garrett, Johan P. U. Fynbo, Darach J. Watson, Uffe G. Jørgensen
备注：
9 pages, 3 figures, accepted to ApJ, minor changes to match the published version; for SED templates, see http://archive.dark-cosmology.dk/
We present an analysis of the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the galaxy ESO 184-G82, the host of the closest known long gamma-ray burst (GRB) 980425 and its associated supernova (SN) 1998bw. We use our observations obtained at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (the third >3 sigma radio detection of a GRB host) as well as archival infrared and ultraviolet (UV) observations to estimate its star formation state. We find that ESO 184-G82 has a UV star formation rate (SFR) and stellar mass consistent with the population of cosmological GRB hosts and of local dwarf galaxies. However, it has a higher specific SFR (per unit stellar mass) than luminous spiral galaxies. The mass of ESO 184-G82 is dominated by an older stellar population in contrast to the majority of GRB hosts. The Wolf-Rayet region ~800 pc from the SN site experienced a starburst episode during which the majority of its stellar population was built up. Unlike that of the entire galaxy, its SED is similar to those of cosmological submillimeter/radio-bright GRB hosts with hot dust content. These findings add to the picture that in general, the environments of GRBs on 1-3 kpc scales are associated with high specific SFR and hot dust.
We investigate the ISM environment of GRB 060505. Using optical emission-line diagnostic ratios, we compare the ISM properties of the GRB 060505 host region with the hosts of unambiguous long- and short-duration GRBs. We show that the metallicity, ionization state, and star formation rate of the GRB 060505 environment are more consistent with short-duration GRBs than with long-duration GRBs. We compare the metallicity and star formation rates of the GRB 060505 region with four other star-forming regions within the GRB 060505 host galaxy. We find no significant change in metallicity or star for…
We report optical and near-infrared broad band observations of the short-duration GRB 050724 host galaxy, used to construct its spectral energy distribution (SED). Unlike the hosts of long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which show younger stellar populations, the SED of the GRB 050724 host galaxy is optimally fitted with a synthetic elliptical galaxy template based on an evolved stellar population (age ~2.6 Gyr). The SED of the host is difficult to reproduce with non-evolving metallicity templates. In contrast, if the short GRB host galaxy metallicity enrichment is considered, the synthetic…
The recent report of iron line features in the afterglow of the gamma-ray burst (GRB) 991216 has important implications for the properties of the radiating material and hence the nature of the immediate burst environment. We argue that the putative strong Fe emission line can be attributed to the reflected emission from Thomson-thick matter which is illuminated by a power-law continuum. The ionization parameter of the material (i.e., the flux to density ratio) is around 10^3, resulting in a Fe K line from He-like iron. A supersolar abundance of iron is not required by the data. Interestingly, …
We present photometric multiband spectral energy distributions for the GRB host galaxies: GRB 971214, GRB 970508, GRB 980613, GRB 980703 and GRB 990123 obtained with the 6-m telescope of SAO RAS. Using SEDs for the starburst galaxies, we made estimates of K-correction values and estimated the absolute magnitudes of the GRB host galaxies within the range of cosmological parameters. The comparison of the broad band spectra of these galaxies with the spectra of galaxies of different morphological types (Connolly et al, 1995, AJ, 110, 1071) shows that the GRB host galaxies are best fitted by the s…
In the last years the research on GRB host galaxies has proceeded to more detailed studies both using high resolution afterglow spectroscopy and spatially resolved spectra of nearby hosts. High resolution spectra give a detailed picture of the kinematic properties of matter along the line-of-sight in the host. Two afterglow spectra show clear indications for outflows from their host, namely GRB 030329 and GRB 060206, derived from the position of absorption and host emission lines, nonvariability of Mg I and the radiation field calculated from fine-structure line detections. In nearby GRB hosts…
The transients following GRB970228 and GRB970508 showed that these (and probably all) GRBs are cosmological. However, the host galaxies expected to be associated with these and other bursts are largely absent, indicating that either bursts are further than expected or the host galaxies are underluminous. This apparent discrepancy does not invalidate the cosmological hypothesis, but instead host galaxy observations can test more sophisticated models.
We present optical and near-IR observations of the host galaxy of GRB 020127, for which we measure R-K=6.2 mag. This is only the second GRB host to date, which is classified as an ERO. The spectral energy distribution is typical of a dusty starburst galaxy, with a redshift, z~1.9, a luminosity, L~5L*, and an inferred stellar mass of ~10^11-10^12 Msun, two orders of magnitude more massive than typical GRB hosts. A comparison to the z~2 mass-metallicity (M-Z) relation indicates that the host metallicity is about 0.5 Zsun. This result shows that at least some GRBs occur in massive, metal-enriched…
The properties of their hosts provide important clues to the progenitors of different classes of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The hosts themselves also constitute a sample of high-redshift star-forming galaxies which, unlike most other methods, is not selected on the luminosities of the galaxies themselves. We discuss what we have learnt from and about GRB host galaxies to date.
We present BVRcIc broad-band flux spectra for the host galaxies of GRB970508, GRB980613, GRB980703, GRB990123 and GRB991208 obtained with the 6-m telescope of SAO RAS. The BVRcIc of these hosts are best fitted by the spectral properties of template SEDs of starburst galaxies and that there is a significant internal extinction in these host galaxies. We derived the absolute magnitudes of the GRB host galaxies making use of SEDs for the starburst galaxies. We performed the population synthesis modeling of the continuum spectral energy distribution of the host galaxies of GRB970508 and GRB980703 …
We present a photometry of GRB 980703 and GRB 990123 host galaxies which was performed about 20 days and a half year after gamma-ray bursts occured, respectively. The contributions of the optical transiets (OT) were negligible in both cases. We derived broad band BVR_cI_c spectra of the host galaxies and compared them to continuum spectra of different Hubble-type galaxies and averaged spectra of starburst galaxies. For H_0=60 km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1} and three Friedmann cosmological models with matter density and cosmological constant parameters (Omega_m,Omega_Lambda) = (1,0),(0,0),(0,1) we estimate…
As part of the HST/STIS GRB host survey program we present the detection of three faint gamma-ray burst (GRB) host galaxies based on an accurate localisation using ground-based data of the optical afterglows (OAs). A common property of these three hosts is their extreme faintness. The location at which GRBs occur with respect to their host galaxies and surrounding environments are robust indicators of the nature of GRB progenitors. The bursts studied here are among the four most extreme outliers, in terms of relative distance from the host center, in the recent comprehensive study of Bloom et …
The collapsar model predicts that the progenitors of Gamma-ray Bursts (GRBs) are metal poor in Fe group elements. The existence of low metallicity stellar populations could manifest itself through special characteristics of the immediate environment of the GRB site in the host galaxy. We analyse the strong emission lines from the sub-luminous host galaxy of GRB 980425, which showed the first connection with a supernova explosion (SN 1998bw). The host has a sufficient size to allow detailed resolved spectroscopy of individual HII regions and to look for regions with special properties close to …
We study the incidence rate of damped Ly-a systems associated with the host galaxies of gamma-ray bursts (GRB-host-DLAs) as functions of neutral hydrogen column density (N_HI) and projected star formation rate (SFR) using cosmological SPH simulations. Assuming that the occurrence of GRBs is correlated with the local SFR, we find that the median N_HI of GRB-host-DLAs progressively shifts to lower N_HI values with increasing redshift, and the incidence rate of GRB-host-DLAs with log N_HI > 21.0 decreases rapidly at z>=6. Our results suggest that the likelihood of observing the signature of IGM a…
We report on the first mid-infrared observations of 16 GRB host galaxies performed with the Spitzer Space Telescope, and investigate the presence of evolved stellar populations and dust-enshrouded star-forming activity associated with GRBs. Only a very small fraction of our sample is detected by Spitzer, which is not consistent with recent works suggesting the presence of a GRB host population dominated by massive and strongly-starbursting galaxies (SFR > ~100 Msol/yr). Should the GRB hosts be representative of star-forming galaxies at high redshift, models of galaxy evolution indicate that >~…
The recently observed bright optical transients(OT) of high redshift GRBs indicate that they are in a violent dynamical state. We think it is reasonable to assume that the GRBs form in the environment of gravitationally collapsed halos of the cosmic matter field, and we investigate the basic parameters of the halos which are favored to host GRBs. If the harboring coefficient $f$ of GRBs per halo is weakly dependent on the mass of the halo, the redshift data of GRB OTs can yield significant constraints on the massive halos hosting GRBs. We show that, in the framework of popular cold dark matter…
We present time-resolved optical spectroscopy of the afterglows of the gamma-ray bursts GRB 990510 and GRB 990712. Through the identification of several absorption lines in the first epoch GRB 990510 spectrum, we determine the redshift for this burst at z >= 1.619. No clear emission lines are detected. The strength of the MgI feature is indicative of a dense environment, most likely the host galaxy of GRB 990510. Although the host is extremely faint (V >~ 28), the GRB afterglow allows us to probe its interstellar medium and - in principle - to measure its metallicity. The optical spectrum of G…
We present a study of the host galaxy of the Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) of May 5 2006 (GRB 060505). The host is spatially resolved in both imaging data and in a long slit spectrum including the GRB site. We find the galaxy to be a Sbc spiral, which is unusual for a long GRB host galaxy. The site of the GRB is considerably different from the rest of the galaxy with intense star formation, low metallicity and a young age. This suggest a massive stellar progenitor rather than a merger of compact objects which has been suggested based on the the relatively short duration of T_90=4s for the prompt emiss…
Ly-alpha emission is indicative of on-going star formation in a dust-poor environment. Ly-alpha imaging is therefore a probe of the star formation rate and of the dust-content of Gamma-Ray Burst host galaxies. Both of these parameters are central to our understanding of GRB progenitors and of how the environments affect the propagation of afterglow emission out of host galaxies. We have started a program aimed at imaging high redshift (z>2) host galaxies of GRBs at the Ly-alpha resonance line from neutral hydrogen. Here were report the results from imaging of the fields of GRB 000301C and GRB …
We report the result of a search for Ly-alpha emission from the host galaxies of the gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) 030226 (z = 1.986), 021004 (z = 2.335) and 020124 (z = 3.198). We find that the host galaxy of GRB 021004 is an extended (around 8 kpc) strong Ly-alpha emitter with a restframe equivalent width (EW) of 68^{+12}_{-11} AA, and a star-formation rate of 10.6 +/- 2.0 M_sun/yr. We do not detect the hosts of GRB 030226 and GRB 020124, but the upper limits on their Ly-alpha fluxes do not rule out large restframe EWs. In the fields of GRB 021004 and GRB 030226 we find seven and five other galaxi…
Long-duration Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) are linked to the collapse of massive stars and their hosts are exclusively identified as active, star forming galaxies. Four long GRBs observed at high spectral resolution at redshift 1.5 <z < 4 allowed the determination of the elemental abundances for a set of different chemical elements. In this paper, for the first time, by means of detailed chemical evolution models taking into account also dust production, we attempt to constrain the star formation history of the host galaxies of these GRBs from the study of the chemical abundances measured in their …
No optical afterglow was found for the dark burst GRB 981226 and hence no absorption redshift has been obtained. We here use ground-based and space imaging observations to analyse the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the host galaxy. By comparison with synthetic template spectra we determine the photometric redshift of the GRB 981226 host to be z_phot = 1.11+/-0.06 (68% confidence level). While the age-metallicity degeneracy for the host SED complicates the determination of accurate ages, metallicity, and extinction, the photometric redshift is robust. The inferred z_phot value is also ro…
We have observed the host galaxy of GRB 990712 at 1.4 GHz with the Australia Telescope Compact Array, to obtain an estimate of its total star-formation rate. We do not detect a source at the position of the host. The 2 sigma upper limit of 70 microJy implies that the total star-formation rate is lower than 100 Msun/yr, using conservative values for the spectral index and cosmological parameters. This upper limit is in stark contrast with recent reports of radio/submillimeter-determined star-formation rates of roughly 500 Msun/yr for two other GRB host galaxies. Our observations present the dee…
We present for the first time the detection of the GRB 030328 host galaxy in four optical bands equivalent to UBRI. The host galaxy spectral energy distribution is consistent with a low extinction (E(B-V) < 0.21) starburst galaxy. The restframe B-band magnitude of the host is M_B ~ -20.4
The observations with the SAO-RAS 6-m telescope in July-August 1998 show that the GRB970508 optical remnant has varied very little since November 1997. We can conclude that we observe a proper host galaxy without the GRB optical remnant. The fitting results of the light curve of the GRB remnant plus the host galaxy until about 400 days after the primary event are reported here. The best $χ^2$-fits with a power law, for most of the filters used, are not acceptable. Some intrinsic variability of the GRB optical remnant fading is possible, which demands a more complex law presenting the largest m…
We present one of the results of $BVRI$ photometry of the hosts of GRB for the host galaxy of GRB 970508 and the theoretical modeling of its continuum spectral energy distribution (SED) to show that it is important to take into account internal extinction in the host galaxies. We compared the BVRI broad-band flux spectrum of the host to template SEDs of local starburst galaxies and found that there is a significant internal extintion in this host. Moreover, this comparison allows us to derive the absolute magnitude (M_{B_{rest}}) and rouhgly estimate reddening (A_V). Population synthesis model…
We present the first comprehensive search for submillimeter and radio emission from the host galaxies of twenty well-localized gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). With the exception of a single source, all observations were undertaken months to years after the GRB explosions to ensure negligible contamination from the afterglows. We detect the host galaxy of GRB 000418 in both the sub-mm and radio, and the host galaxy of GRB 000210 only in the sub-mm. These observations, in conjunction with the previous detections of the host galaxies of GRB 980703 and GRB 010222, indicate that about 20% of GRB host gala…
The hard X-ray (2-10keV) luminosity of a star-forming galaxy tracks its population of high mass X-ray binaries and is essentially unobscured. It is therefore a practically unbiased measure of star-formation in the host galaxies of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Using recent and archival observations of GRBs with the XMM-Newton and Chandra X-ray observatories, limits are placed on the underlying X-ray emission from GRB hosts. Useful limits on the current massive star-formation rates (SFRs), unaffected by obscuration, are obtained for the hosts of three low redshift GRBs: GRB980425, GRB030329 and GRB0…
In order to test systematic of the Amati relation, the 24 long-duration GRBs with firmly determined $E_{γ,\mathrm{iso}}$ and $E_{\mathrm p}$ are separated into two sub-groups according to B-band luminosity of their host galaxies. The Amati relations in the two subgroups are found to be in agreement with each other within uncertainties. Taking into account of the well established luminosity - metallicity relation of galaxies, no strong evolution of the Amati relation with GRB's environment metallicity is implied in this study.
The observed redshifts and magnitudes of the host galaxies of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are compared with the predictions of three basic GRB models, in which the comoving rate density of GRBs is (1) proportional to the cosmic star formation rate density, (2) proportional to the total integrated stellar density and (3) constant. All three models make the assumption that at every epoch the probability of a GRB occuring in a galaxy is proportional to that galaxy's broad-band luminosity. No assumption is made that GRBs are standard candles or even that their luminosity function is narrow. All three …
We present millimetre (mm) and submillimetre (submm) photometry of a sample of host galaxies of Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs), obtained using the MAMBO2 and SCUBA bolometer arrays respectively. These observations were obtained as part of an ongoing project to investigate the status of GRBs as indicators of star formation. Our targets include two of the most unusual GRB host galaxies, selected as likely candidate submm galaxies: the extremely red (R-K approx 5) host of GRB 030115, and the extremely faint (R>29.5) host of GRB 020124. Neither of these galaxies is detected, but the deep upper limits for…
The supernova SN 2006aj associated with GRB 060218 is the second-closest GRB-SN observed to date ($z$=0.033) and is the clearest example of a SN associated with a Swift GRB with the earliest optical spectroscopy. Its optical data showed that this is the fastest evolving and among the least luminous GRB-SNe (70% as luminous as SN1998bw). However, its expansion velocity and a comparison with other stripped-envelope SNe suggest that SN2006aj is an intermediate object between Type Ic GRB-SNe and those not accompained by a GRB. High-resolution optical spectroscopy together with SDSS pre-burst obser…
We present a study of 15 long-duration gamma-ray burst (GRB) host galaxies at z>2. The GRBs are selected with available early-time afterglow spectra in order to compare interstellar medium (ISM) absorption-line properties with stellar properties of the host galaxies. In addition to five previously studied hosts, we consider new detections for the host galaxies of GRB050820 and GRB060206 and place 2-sigma upper limits to the luminosities of the remaining unidentified hosts. We examine the nature of the host galaxy population and find that (1) the UV luminosity distribution of GRB host galaxies …
We better determine the spectral flux distribution of the supernova candidate associated with GRB 970228 by modeling the spectral flux distribution of the host galaxy of this burst, fitting this model to measurements of the host galaxy, and using the fitted model to better subtract out the contribution of the host galaxy to measurements of the afterglow of this burst.
We present optical echelle spectra of four gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows (GRB 050730, GRB 050820, GRB 051111, and GRB 060418) discovered during the first 1.5 years of operation of the Swift satellite and localized by either the Swift telescope or follow-up ground-based imaging. We analyze the spectra to derive accurate column density measurements for the transitions arising in the interstellar medium (ISM) of the GRB host galaxies. These measurements can be used to constrain the physical properties of the ISM including the metallicity, dust-to-gas ratio, ionization state, and chemical abund…
The aim of this paper is to investigate the environment of gamma ray bursts (GRBs) and the interstellar matter of their host galaxies. We use to this purpose high resolution spectroscopic observations of the afterglow of GRB050922C, obtained with UVES/VLT 3.5 hours after the GRB event. We found that, as for most high resolution spectra of GRBs, the spectrum of the afterglow of GRB050922C is complex. At least seven components contribute to the main absorption system at z=2.1992. The detection of lines of neutral elements like MgI and the detection of fine-structure levels of the ions FeII, SiII…
The GRB Host Studies (GHostS) is a public archive collecting observed quantities of GRB host galaxies. At this time (January 2006) it contains information on 32 GRB hosts, i.e. about half of the total number of GRBs with known redshift. Here we present some preliminary statistical analysis of the sample, e.g. the total stellar mass, metallicity and star formation rate for the hosts. We found that these are generally low-mass objects, with 79% having M_*<10^10 M_sun. The total stellar mass and the metallicity for a subsample of 7 hosts at 0.4<z<1 are consistent with the mass-metallicity relatio…
An important parameter for the distinction of X-ray flashes, X-ray rich bursts and Gamma-ray bursts in the rest frame is the distance to the explosion site. Here we report on the spectroscopic redshift determination of the host galaxy of XRF/GRB 030528 using the ESO VLT FORS2 instrument. From the strong oxygen and hydrogen emission lines the redshift was measured to be z=0.782+-0.001. Obtaining the line luminosities and ratios we find that the host is consistent with being an actively star forming galaxy with sub-solar metallicity. With a stellar mass of ~10E10 Msun the host is placed among th…
The gamma-ray burst of 28 February 1997 (GRB 970228) ushered in the discovery of the afterglow phenomenon. Despite intense study of the host galaxy, however, the nature of the host and the distance to the burst eluded the community. Here we present the measurement of the redshift of GRB 970228, and, based on its spectroscopic and photometric properties, identify the host as an underluminous, but otherwise normal galaxy at redshift z=0.695 undergoing a modest level of star formation. At this redshift, the GRB released an isotropic equivalent energy of E = (6.8 +/- 0.5) x 10^51 erg [30-2000 keV …
The association of some short-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) with elliptical galaxies established that their progenitors, unlike those of long GRBs, belong to an old stellar population. However, the majority of short GRBs appear to occur in star forming galaxies, raising the possibility that some progenitors are related to recent star formation activity. Here we present optical spectroscopy of these hosts and measure their luminosities, star formation rates, and metallicities. We find luminosities of L_B~0.1-1.5 L*, star formation rates of SFR~0.2-6 M_sun/yr, and metallicities of 12+log(O/H)…
We present and discuss optical diagnostics of the low redshift (z<0.2) galaxies that are known to have hosted supernovae associated with gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The three galaxies are all actively starforming sub-luminous (L<L*) galaxies with relatively low metallicities (Z<Zsun). We find no evidence for substantial internal extinction within any of the galaxies. We derive star formation rates (SFR) based on H-alpha luminosities, as well as specific star formation rates (SFFR, star formation rate per unit luminosity). For GRB 980425 (SN 1998bw) we use photometry of the supernova environment t…
We present the results from an ESO/VLT campaign aimed at studying the afterglow properties of the short/hard gamma ray burst GRB 070707. Observations were carried out at ten different epochs from ~0.5 to ~80 days after the event. The optical flux decayed steeply with a power-law decay index greater than 3, later levelling off at R~27.3 mag; this is likely the emission level of the host galaxy, the faintest yet detected for a short GRB. Spectroscopic observations did not reveal any line features/edges that could unambiguously pinpoint the GRB redshift, but set a limit z < 3.6. In the range of a…
The lack of an observed supernova associated with GRB 060614 appears to require a new paradigm for the formation of (a subset of) long-duration GRBs. This requirement is based on the presumed low redshift of the burst, which was inferred from the spatial coincidence of the afterglow with a z=0.125 galaxy. We explore the possibility that this low-redshift galaxy is a chance superposition along the line of sight to GRB 060614. We examine the galaxy distribution of the field of GRB 060614 and find that the probability of a chance association with a galaxy at least as bright as the putative host i…
We present a high-resolution, high signal-to-noise optical spectrum of the afterglow of GRB 051111 obtained with the HIRES spectrograph on the Keck I 10-m telescope. The spectrum exhibits three redshifted absorption systems with the highest, at z=1.54948, arising in the GRB host galaxy. While the Ly-alpha feature is outside the range of our spectrum, the high column density of weakly-depleted Zn suggests that the host is a damped Lyman-alpha system with N(HI)>10^21(Z/Z_sun)^-1. The bulk of the gas (>80%) is confined to a narrow velocity range of |v|<30 km/s exhibiting strong dust depletion of …
We present VLT spectroscopic observations of Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) 990705 host galaxy and highlight the benefits provided by the prompt-phase features of GRBs to derive the redshifts of the latter. In the host spectrum, we indeed detect an emission feature which we attribute to the [OII] 3726/3729 Angstrom doublet and derive an unambiguous redshift z=0.8424+/-0.0002 for this galaxy. This is in full agreement with the value z~0.86+/-0.17 previously derived using a transient absorption edge discovered in the X-ray spectrum of GRB990705. This burst is therefore the first GRB for which a reliable …
Using the Echellete Spectrograph Imager (ESI) on the Keck II 10-m telescope we have measured the redshifts of the host galaxies of gamma-ray bursts GRB 990506 and GRB 000418, z=1.30658 +/- 0.00004 and 1.1181 +/- 0.0001, respectively. Thanks to the excellent spectral resolution of ESI we resolved the [O II] 3727 doublet in both cases. The measured redshift of GRB 990506 is the highest known for a dark burst GRB, though entirely consistent with the notion that dark and non-dark bursts have a common progenitor origin. The relative strengths of the [O II], He I, [Ne III], and H gamma emission line…
We present radio observations of GRB980703 at 1.43, 4.86, and 8.46 GHz for the period of 350 to 1000 days after the burst. These radio data clearly indicate that there is a persistent source at the position of GRB980703 with a flux density of approximately 70 $μ$Jy at 1.43 GHz, and a spectral index, $β\approx 0.32$, where $F_ν\propto ν^{-β}$. We show that emission from the afterglow of GRB980703 is expected to be one to two orders of magnitude fainter, and therefore cannot account for these observations. We interpret this persistent emission as coming from the host galaxy --- the first example…
We study a magnitude-limited sample of 10 gamma-ray burst (GRB) host galaxies with known spectroscopic redshifts (0.43 < z < 2.04). From an analysis of the spectral energy distributions (SEDs), based on published broad-band optical and near-infrared photometry, we derive photometric redshifts, galaxy types, ages of the dominant stellar populations, internal extinctions, and ultraviolet (UV) star-formation rates (SFRs) of the host galaxies. The photometric redshifts are quite accurate despite the heterogeneous nature of the sample: The r.m.s. errors are sigma(z) = 0.21 and sigma(Delta z/(1+z_sp…
GRB 970828 was the first well-localized gamma-ray burst (GRB) X-ray afterglow for which no optical afterglow was found despite a prompt, deep search down to R_lim ~ 24.5 mag. We report the discovery of a short-lived radio flare within the X-ray localization error circle of this burst. Such radio flares are seen in about 25% of GRB afterglows and their origin is not well understood. The precise radio position enabled us to identify the likely host galaxy of this burst, and to measure its redshift, z = 0.9578. The host appears to be an interacting/merging system. Under the assumption that the X-…
Long duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) accompany the deaths of some massive stars and hence, since massive stars are short lived, are a tracer of star formation activity. Given that GRBs are bright enough to be seen to very high redshifts, and detected even in dusty environments, they should therefore provide a powerful probe of the global star formation history of the universe. The potential of this approach can be investigated via submm photometry of GRB host galaxies. Submm luminosity also correlates with star formation rate, so the distribution of host galaxy submm fluxes should allow us to…
The Swift discovered GRB080319B was by far the most distant source ever observed at naked eye brightness, reaching a peak apparent magnitude of 5.3 at a redshift of z=0.937. We present our late-time optical (HST, Gemini & VLT) and X-ray (Chandra) observations, which confirm that an achromatic break occurred in the power-law afterglow light curve at ~11 days post-burst. This most likely indicates that the gamma-ray burst (GRB) outflow was collimated, which for a uniform jet would imply a total energy in the jet E_{jet} \gsim 10^{52} erg. Our observations also show a late-time excess of red ligh…
We better determine the spectral flux distribution of the supernova candidate associated with GRB 970228 by modeling the spectral flux distribution of the host galaxy of this burst, fitting this model to measurements of the host galaxy, and using the fitted model to better subtract out the contribution of the host galaxy to measurements of the afterglow of this burst. Furthermore, we discuss why the non-detection of a SN1998bw-like component to the afterglow of GRB 990510 does not necessarily imply that a SN is not associated with this burst. Finally, we discuss how bursts can be used as beaco…
We report on the results of deep narrow-band Ly-alpha, U and I imaging of the fields of two GRBs at z=2.04 (GRB 000301C and GRB 000926). We find that the host galaxy of GRB 000926 is an extended, strong Ly-alpha emitter with a rest-frame equivalent width of 71+20-15 AA. The galaxy consists of two main components and several fainter knots. GRB 000926 occurred in the western component, whereas most of the Ly-alpha luminosity (about 65%) originates in the eastern component. Using archival HST images of the host galaxy we measure the spectral slopes (f_lambda prop. to lambda^beta) of the two compo…
We present UBVRI-band observations taken ~300 days after the BeppoSAX gamma-ray burst GRB 000214. This GRB did not show a detectable optical afterglow, however due to the localization of a previously unknown, fading, X-ray source at a tentative redshift in the range 0.37-0.47, we have searched with the ESO 3.6 m telescope for objects with photometric redshifts consistent with the mentioned X-ray redshift range. We report four host galaxy candidates, which might be the subject of future spectroscopic observations in order to confirm their redshifts.
Despite a rich diversity in observational properties, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) can be divided into two broad categories based on their duration and spectral hardness -- the long-soft and the short-hard GRBs. The discovery of afterglows from long GRBs in 1997, and their localization to arcsecond accuracy, was a watershed event. The ensuing decade of intense study led to the realization that long-soft GRBs are located in star forming galaxies, produce about 10^51 erg in collimated relativistic ejecta, are accompanied by supernovae, and result from the death of massive stars. While theoretical arg…
We revisit the host galaxy of GRB031203 using a set of spectra obtained with VLT. Assuming a Galactic color excess E(B-V)=0.72 (mag)in the direction of the burst,we derive an internal extinction of about 0.4 (mag). After correcting for reddening, we find an electronic density of 156 cm^{-3} and a temperature of 12443(K). With an ISM dominated by photo-ionization, we estimate a metallicity of 12+Log[O/H]=8.12 and a star formation rate of 12.3 (M_{o}yr^{-1}). This galaxy does not host a clearly detectable population of WR stars.
We present a comprehensive study of the z=0.43 host galaxy of GRB 990712, involving ground-based photometry, spectroscopy, and HST imaging. The broad-band UBVRIJHKs photometry is used to determine the global spectral energy distribution (SED) of the host galaxy. Comparison with that of known galaxy types shows that the host is similar to a moderately reddened starburst galaxy with a young stellar population. The estimated internal extinction in the host is Av=0.15+/-0.1 and the star-formation rate (SFR) from the UV continuum is 1.3+/-0.3 M_sun/yr, (not corrected for the effects of extinction).…
We present early-time Keck spectroscopic observations and late-time Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging of GRB 000926. The HST images show a small offset between the optical transient and the compact host galaxy. Combined with the large equivalent widths measured for metallic absorption lines by the Keck Echellette Spectrograph and Imager (ESI) and the Low-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (LRIS), this indicates that the GRB exploded near the center of its host. The ESI spectroscopy reveals two absorption systems centered at z = 2.0379 \pm 0.0008 with a velocity separation of 168 km s^{-1}, whi…
We investigate the dust extinction properties in the host galaxy of the Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) GRB 050904 at z=6.29 by analyzing simultaneous broad band observations of the optical and UV afterglow at three different epochs. We show that the peculiar afterglow spectral energy distribution (SED) observed at 0.5 days and at 1 day after the burst (1.6 and 3 hours rest frame) cannot be explained with dust reddening with any of the extinction curves observed at low redshift. Yet, the extinction curve recently inferred for the most distant BAL QSO at z=6.2 nicely reproduces the SED of GRB 050904 at b…
In this paper we illustrate with the case of GRB 000926 how Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) can be used as cosmological lighthouses to identify and study star forming galaxies at high redshifts. The optical afterglow of the burst was located with optical imaging at the Nordic Optical Telescope 20.7 hours after the burst. Rapid follow-up spectroscopy allowed the determination of the redshift of the burst and a measurement of the host galaxy HI-column density in front of the burst. With late-time narrow band Ly-alpha as well as broad band imaging, we have studied the emission from the host galaxy and fo…
GRB 060505 was the first well-observed nearby possible long-duration GRB that had no associated supernova. Here we present spatially resolved spectra of the host galaxy of GRB 060505, an Sbc spiral, at redshift z=0.0889. The GRB occurred inside a star-forming region in the northern spiral arm at 6.5 kpc from the center. From the position of the emission lines, we determine a maximum rotational velocity for the galaxy of v~212km/s corresponding to a mass of 1.14x10^11 M_solar within 11 kpc from the center. By fitting single-age spectral synthesis models to the stellar continuum, we derive a ver…
