arXiv subjects

B. Gendre

Publications and source records attributed to B. Gendre.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

The puzzling temporally variable optical and X-ray afterglow of GRB 101024A

Aim: To present the optical observations of the afterglow of GRB 101024A and to try to reconcile these observations with the X-ray afterglow data of GRB 101024A using current afterglow models Method: We employ early optical observations using the Zadko Telescope combined with X-ray data and compare with the reverse shock/forward shock model. Results: The early optical light curve reveals a very unusual steep decay index of alpha~5. This is followed by a flattening and possibly a plateau phase coincident with a similar feature in the X-ray. We discuss these observations in the framework of the standard reverse shock/forward shock model and energy injection.We note that the plateau phase might also be the signature of the formation of a new magnetar.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

Browsing the sky through the ASI Science Data Centre Data Explorer Tool

We present here the Data Explorer tool developed at the ASI Science Data Center (ASDC). This tool is designed to provide an efficient and user-friendly way to display information residing in several catalogs stored in the ASDC servers, to cross-correlate this information and to download/analyze data via our scientific tools and/or external services. Our database includes GRB catalogs (such as Swift and Beppo-SAX), which can be queried through the Data Explorer. The GRB fields can be viewed in multiwavelength and the data can be analyzed or retrieved.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2010

Testing GRB models with the afterglow of GRB 090102

We present the observations of the afterglow of gamma-ray burst GRB 090102. Optical data taken by the TAROT, REM, GROND, together with publicly available data from Palomar, IAC and NOT telescopes, and X-ray data taken by the XRT instrument on board the Swift spacecraft were used. This event features an unusual light curve. In X-rays, it presents a constant decrease with no hint of temporal break from 0.005 to 6 days after the burst. In the optical, the light curve presents a flattening after 1 ks. Before this break, the optical light curve is steeper than that of the X-ray. In the optical, no further break is observed up to 10 days after the burst. We failed to explain these observations in light of the standard fireball model. Several other models, including the cannonball model were investigated. The explanation of the broad band data by any model requires some fine tuning when taking into account both optical and X-ray bands.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

Search for neutrinos from transient sources with the ANTARES telescope and optical follow-up observations

The ANTARES telescope has the opportunity to detect transient neutrino sources, such as gamma-ray bursts, core-collapse supernovae, flares of active nuclei... To enhance the sensitivity to these sources, we have developed a new detection method based on the optical follow-up of "golden" neutrino events such as neutrino doublets coincident in time and space or single neutrinos of very high energy. The ANTARES Collaboration has therefore implemented a very fast on-line reconstruction with a good angular resolution. These characteristics allow to trigger an optical telescope network; since February 2009. ANTARES is sending alert trigger one or two times per month to the two 25 cm robotic telescope of TAROT. This follow-up of such special events would not only give access to the nature of the sources but also improves the sensitivity for transient neutrino sources.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

A multiwavelength study of Swift GRB 060111B constraining the origin of its prompt optical emission

In this work, we present the results obtained from a multi-wavelength campaign, as well as from the public Swift/BAT, XRT, and UVOT data of GRB 060111B for which a bright optical emission was measured with good temporal resolution during the prompt phase. We identified the host galaxy at R~25 mag; its featureless spectral continuum and brightness, as well as the non-detection of any associated supernova 16 days after the trigger and other independent redshift estimates, converge to z~1-2. From the analysis of the early afterglow SED, we find that non-negligible host galaxy dust extinction, in addition to the Galactic one, affects the observed flux in the optical regime. The extinction-corrected optical-to-gamma-ray spectral energy distribution during the prompt emission shows a flux density ratio $F_γ/F_{opt}$=0.01-0.0001 with spectral index $β_{γ,opt}> β_γ$, strongly suggesting a separate origin of the optical and gamma-ray components. This result is supported by the lack of correlated behavior in the prompt emission light curves observed in the two energy domains. The properties of the prompt optical emission observed during GRB 060111B favor interpretation of this optical light as radiation from the reverse shock in a thick shell limit and in the slow cooling regime. The expected peak flux is consistent with the observed one corrected for the host extinction, likely indicating that the starting time of the TAROT observations is very near to or coincident with the peak time. The estimated fireball initial Lorentz factor is >260-360 at z=1-2, similar to the Lorentz factors obtained from other GRBs. GRB 060111B is a rare, good test case of the reverse shock emission mechanism in both the X-ray and optical energy ranges.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

Correlated optical and gamma emissions from GRB 081126

We present an analysis of time-resolved optical emissions observed from the gamma-ray burst GRB 081126 during the prompt phase. The analysis employed time-resolved photometry using optical data obtained by the TAROT telescope, using BAT data from the Swift spacecraft, and time-resolved spectroscopy at high energies from the GBM instrument onboard the Fermi spacecraft. The optical emission of GRB 081126 is found to be compatible with the second gamma emission pulse shifted by a positive time lag of 8.4 $\pm$ 3.9 s. This is the first well-resolved observation of a time lag between optical and gamma emissions during a gamma-ray burst. Our observations could potentially provide new constraints on the fireball model for gamma-ray burst early emissions. Furthermore, observations of time lags between optical and gamma ray photons provides an exciting opportunity to constrain quantum gravity theories.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Studying the WHIM with Gamma Ray Bursts

We assess the possibility to detect and characterize the physical state of the missing baryons at low redshift by analyzing the X-ray absorption spectra of the Gamma Ray Burst [GRB] afterglows, measured by a micro calorimeters-based detector with 3 eV resolution and 1000 cm2 effective area and capable of fast re-pointing, similar to that on board of the recently proposed X-ray satellites EDGE and XENIA. For this purpose we have analyzed mock absorption spectra extracted from different hydrodynamical simulations used to model the properties of the Warm Hot Intergalactic Medium [WHIM]. These models predict the correct abundance of OVI absorption lines observed in UV and satisfy current X-ray constraints. According to these models space missions like EDGE and XENIA should be able to detect about 60 WHIM absorbers per year through the OVII line. About 45 % of these have at least two more detectable lines in addition to OVII that can be used to determine the density and the temperature of the gas. Systematic errors in the estimates of the gas density and temperature can be corrected for in a robust, largely model-independent fashion. The analysis of the GRB absorption spectra collected in three years would also allow to measure the cosmic mass density of the WHIM with about 15 % accuracy, although this estimate depends on the WHIM model. Our results suggest that GRBs represent a valid, if not preferable, alternative to Active Galactic Nuclei to study the WHIM in absorption. The analysis of the absorption spectra nicely complements the study of the WHIM in emission that the spectrometer proposed for EDGE and XENIA would be able to carry out thanks to its high sensitivity and large field of view.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Early optical observations of GRBs by the TAROT telescopes: period 2001-2008

The TAROT telescopes (Telescopes a Action Rapide pour les Objets Transitoires) are two robotic observatories designed to observe the prompt optical emission counterpart and the early afterglow of gamma ray bursts (GRBs). We present data acquired between 2001 and 2008 and discuss the properties of the optical emission of GRBs, noting various interesting results. The optical emission observed during the prompt GRB phase is rarely very bright: we estimate that 5% to 20% of GRBs exhibit a bright optical flash (R<14) during the prompt gamma-ray emission, and that more than 50% of the GRBs have an optical emission fainter than R=15.5 when the gamma-ray emission is active. We study the apparent optical brightness distribution of GRBs at 1000 s showing that our observations confirm the distribution derived by other groups. The combination of these results with those obtained by other rapid slewing telescopes allows us to better characterize the early optical emission of GRBs and to emphasize the importance of very early multi-wavelength GRB studies for the understanding of the physics of the ejecta.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2008

Gamma-ray burst afterglows : luminosity clustering at infrared wavelengths?

Clustering in the luminosity of the afterglows of gamma-ray burst has been reported in the optical and X-ray. We investigate the possibility that a clustering in the luminosity of the afterglows of gamma-ray burst exists in near infrared (J, H, K bands). We use observations of events occurring from 1997 to the end of 2007. We correct the gamma-ray burst afterglow light curve for distance effect and time dilation, and replace all light curves to a common distance of z=1. We used only observations of signal emitted in the near infrared (in the burst frame). We observe a clustering identical to the one observed in optical and similar to the one observed in X-ray. We thus confirm the previous works made in optical. We set a constraint on the total energy of the fireball.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Neutrino detection of transient sources with optical follow-up observations

The ANTARES telescope has the opportunity to detect transient neutrino sources, such as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), core-collapse supernovae (SNe), flares of active galactic nuclei (AGNs)... To enhance the sensitivity to these sources, we are developing a new detection method based on the observation of neutrino bursts followed by an optical detection. The ANTARES Collaboration is implementing a fast on-line event reconstruction with a good angular resolution. These characteristics allow to trigger an optical telescope network in order to identify the nature of the neutrinos (and high energy cosmic-rays) sources. This follow-up can be done with a network of small automatic telescopes and required a small observation time. An optical follow-up of special events, such as neutrino doublets in coincidence in time and space or single neutrino having a very high energy, would not only give access to the nature of the sources but also improve the sensitivity for neutrino detection from SNe or GRBs.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

The luminosity of GRB afterglows as distance estimator

We investigate the clustering of afterglow light curves observed at X-ray and optical wavelengths. We have constructed a sample of 61 bursts with known distance and X-ray afterglow. GRB sources can be divided in three classes, namely optical and X-ray bright afterglows, optical and X-ray dim one s, and optically bright -X-ray dim ones. We argue that this clustering is related to the fireball total energy, the external medium density, the fraction of fireball energy going in relativistic electrons and magnetic fields. We propose a method for the estimation of the GRB source redshift based on the observe d X-ray flux one day after the burst and optical properties. We tested this method on three recently detected SWIFT GRBs with known redshift, and found it i n good agreement with the reported distance from optical spectroscopy.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Rising optical afterglows seen by TAROT

We present the multi-wavelength study of those gamma-ray bursts observed by TAROT. These events are characterized by the presence at early time of a rising in their optical light curves lasting a few hundred of seconds. In one case (GRB 060904B), a flare occurs at similar time in the X-ray band, while in the other cases the X-ray light curves appear smooth during the optical rise. We investigate the possible nature of this behavior and conclude th at a multi-component emission is mandatory to explain the optical-to-X-ray afterglow.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Gamma-Ray Bursts and Particle Astrophysics

Gamma-ray bursts are violent events occurring randomly in the sky. In this review, I will present the fireball model, proposed to explain the phenomenon of gamma-ray bursts. This model has important consequences for the production and observation at Earth of gravitational waves, high energy neutrinos, cosmic rays and high energy photons, and the second part of this review will be focused on these aspects. A last section will briefly discuss the topic of the use of gamma-ray bursts as standard candles and possible cosmological studies.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

X-ray afterglow light curves : toward standard candle ?

We investigate the clustering of afterglow light curves observed at X-ray and optical wavelengths. We have constructed a sample of 61 bursts with known dis tance and X-ray afterglow. This sample includes bursts observed by BeppoSAX, XMM-Newton, Chandra, and SWIFT. We correct the light curves for cosmological ef fects and compare the observed X-ray fluxes one day after the burst. We check for correlations between the observed flux and the burst spectral and temporal properties. We confirm the previous result of Boer and Gendre (2000) that X-ray afterglow light curves cluster in luminosity, even when we consider the l ast SWIFT data. We observe this clustering only for the afterglow light curves; the inclusion of prompt-related data broaden the distribution. A similar clu stering is observed for the optical light curves; GRB sources can be divided in three classes, namely optical and X-ray bright afterglows, optical and X-ray dim ones, and optically bright -X-ray dim ones. We argue that this clustering is related to the fireball total energy, the external medium density, the fraction of fireball energy going in relativistic electrons and magnetic fields. These parameters can be either fixed to a standard va lue, or correlated. We finally propose a method for the estimation of the GRB source redshift based on the observed X-ray flux one day after the burst and optical properties. Using this method, we compute a redshift of 1.4 +/- 0.2 for GRB 980519 and of 1.9 \+/- 0.3 for GRB 040827. We tested this method on three recently detected SWIFT GRBs with known redshift, and found it in good agreement with the reported distance from optical spectroscopy .

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

The complex light-curve of the afterglow of GRB071010A

We present and discuss the results of an extensive observational campaign devoted to GRB071010A, a long-duration gamma-ray burst detected by the Swift satellite. This event was followed for almost a month in the optical/near-infrared (NIR) with various telescopes starting from about 2min after the high-energy event. Swift-XRT observations started only later at about 0.4d. The light-curve evolution allows us to single out an initial rising phase with a maximum at about 7min, possibly the afterglow onset in the context of the standard fireball model, which is then followed by a smooth decay interrupted by a sharp rebrightening at about 0.6d. The rebrightening was visible in both the optical/NIR and X-rays and can be interpreted as an episode of discrete energy injection, although various alternatives are possible. A steepening of the afterglow light curve is recorded at about 1d. The entire evolution of the optical/NIR afterglow is consistent with being achromatic. This could be one of the few identified GRB afterglows with an achromatic break in the X-ray through the optical/NIR bands. Polarimetry was also obtained at about 1d, just after the rebrightening and almost coincident with the steepening. This provided a fairly tight upper limit of 0.9% for the polarized-flux fraction.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Early emission of rising optical afterglows: The case of GRB 060904B and GRB 070420

We present the time-resolved optical emission of gamma-ray bursts GRB 060904B and GRB 070420 during their prompt and early afterglow phases. We used time resolved photometry from optical data taken by the TAROT telescope and time resolved spectroscopy at high energies from the Swift spacecraft instrument. The optical emissions of both GRBs are found to increase from the end of the prompt phase, passing to a maximum of brightness at t_{peak}=9.2 min and 3.3 min for GRB 060904B and GRB 070420 respectively and then decrease. GRB 060904B presents a large optical plateau and a very large X-ray flare. We argue that the very large X-flare occurring near t_{peak} is produced by an extended internal engine activity and is only a coincidence with the optical emission. GRB 070420 observations would support this idea because there was no X-flare during the optical peak. The nature of the optical plateau of GRB 060904B is less clear and might be related to the late energy injection.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

On the nature of X-Ray Flashes in the SWIFT era

X-Ray Flashes (XRFs) are soft gamma-ray bursts whose nature is not clear. Their soft spectrum can be due to cosmological effects (high redshift), an off-axis view of the jet or can be intrinsic to the source. We use SWIFT observations to investigate different scenarios proposed to explain their origin. We have made a systematic analysis of the afterglows of XRFs with known redshift observed by SWIFT. We derive their redshift and luminosity distributions, and compare their properties with a sample of normal GRBs observed by the same instrument. The high distance hypothesis is ruled out by the redshift distribution of our sample of XRFs, indicating that, at least for our sample, the off-axis and sub-energetic hypotheses are preferred. Of course, this does not exclude that some XRFs without known redshift could be at high distance. However we find that taking into account the sensitivity of the BAT instrument, XRFs cannot be detected by SWIFT beyond ~ 3. The luminosity distribution of XRF afterglows is similar to the GRB one. This would rule out most off-axis models, but for the homogeneous jet model. However this model predicts a GRB rate uncomfortably near the observed rate of supernovae. This implies that XRFs, at least those of our sample, are intrinsically soft.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

The Gamma-ray burst 050904 : evidence for a termination shock ?

We analyze optical and X-ray observations of GRB 050904 obtained with TAROT and SWIFT. We perform temporal and spectral analysis of the X-ray and optical data. We find significant absorption in the early phase of the X-ray light curve, with some evidence (3 sigma level) of variability. We interpret this as a progressive photo-ionization. We investigate the environment of the burst and constrain its density profile. We find that the overall behavior of the afterglow is compatible with a fireball expanding in a wind environment during the first 2000 seconds after the burst (observer frame). On the other hand, the late (after 0.5 days, observer frame) afterglow is consistent with an interstellar medium, suggesting the possible presence of a termination shock. We estimate the termination shock position to be R_t ~ 1.8 x 10^{-2} pc, and the wind density parameter to be A_* ~ 1.8. We try to explain the simultaneous flares observed in optical and X-ray bands in light of different models : delayed external shock from a thick shell, inverse Compton emission from reverse shock, inverse Compton emission from late internal shocks or a very long internal shock activity. Among these models, those based on a single emission mechanism, are unable to account for the broad-band observations. Models invoking late internal shocks, with the inclusion of IC emission, or a properly tuned very long internal shock activity, offer possible explanations.

astro-ph↗