arXiv · astro-ph/0008029
The Redshift and the Host Galaxy of GRB 980613: A Gamma-Ray Burst From a Merger-Induced Starburst?
Abstract
We present optical and near-IR identification and spectroscopy of the host galaxy of GRB 980613. The burst was apparently associated with the optically (restframe UV) brightest component of a system of at least five galaxies or galaxy fragments at a redshift of z = 1.0969. The component we identify as the host galaxy shows a moderately high unobscured star formation rate, SFR = 5 M_solar/yr, but a high SFR per unit mass, indicative of a starburst. The image components show a broad range of (R-K) colors, with two of them being very red, possibly due to dust. Overall morphology of the system can be naturally interpreted as a strong tidal interaction of two or more galaxies, at a redshift where such events were much more common than now. Given the well established causal link between galaxy mergers and starbursts, we propose that this is a strong case for a GRB originating from a merger-induced starburst system. This supports the proposed link between GRBs and massive star formation.
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S. G. Djorgovski, J. S. Bloom, S. R. Kulkarni. 2000-08-01. The Redshift and the Host Galaxy of GRB 980613: A Gamma-Ray Burst From a Merger-Induced Starburst?. https://doi.org/10.1086/376964
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