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Luigi Piro

Publications and source records attributed to Luigi Piro.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2013

The Hot and Energetic Universe: Luminous extragalactic transients

We discuss the importance and potential contribution of Athena+ to the science questions related to gamma-ray bursts, tidal disruption events and supernova shock break-out. Athena+ will allow breakthrough observations involving high-resolution X-ray spectroscopic observations of high-z gamma-ray bursts, observations of tidal disruption events tailored to determine the mass and potentially the spin of the black hole responsible for the tidal disruption and observations of X-rays from the supernova shock breakout providing a measure of the radius of the exploding star or of the companion in the case of type Ia supernovae. We briefly discuss survey facilities that will provide triggers to these events envisaged to be operational around 2028.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2011

Studying the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium in Emission

We assess the possibility to detect the warm-hot intergalactic medium (WHIM) in emission and to characterize its physical conditions and spatial distribution through spatially resolved X-ray spectroscopy, in the framework of the recently proposed DIOS, EDGE, Xenia, and ORIGIN missions, all of which are equipped with microcalorimeter-based detectors. For this purpose we analyze a large set of mock emission spectra, extracted from a cosmological hydrodynamical simulation. These mock X-ray spectra are searched for emission features showing both the OVII K alpha triplet and OVIII Ly alpha line, which constitute a typical signature of the warm hot gas. Our analysis shows that 1 Ms long exposures and energy resolution of 2.5 eV will allow us to detect about 400 such features per deg^2 with a significance >5 sigma and reveals that these emission systems are typically associated with density ~100 above the mean. The temperature can be estimated from the line ratio with a precision of ~20%. The combined effect of contamination from other lines, variation in the level of the continuum, and degradation of the energy resolution reduces these estimates. Yet, with an energy resolution of 7 eV and all these effects taken into account, one still expects about 160 detections per deg^2. These line systems are sufficient to trace the spatial distribution of the line-emitting gas, which constitute an additional information, independent from line statistics, to constrain the poorly known cosmic chemical enrichment history and the stellar feedback processes.

astro-ph.CO↗
arXiv2011

Expected properties of the Two-Point Autocorrelation Function of the IGM

Recent analyses of the fluctuations of the soft Diffuse X-ray Background (DXB) have provided indirect detection of a component consistent with the elusive Warm Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM). In this work we use theoretical predictions obtained from hydrodynamical simulations to investigate the angular correlation properties of the WHIM in emission and assess the possibility of indirect detection with next-generation X-ray missions. Our results indicate that the angular correlation signal of the WHIM is generally weak but dominates the angular correlation function of the DXB outside virialized regions. Its indirect detection is possible but requires rather long exposure times [0.1-1] Ms, large (~1° x1°) fields of view and accurate subtraction of isotropic fore/background contributions, mostly contributed by Galactic emission. The angular correlation function of the WHIM is positive for θ < 5' and provides limited information on its spatial distribution. A satisfactory characterization of the WHIM in 3D can be obtained through spatially resolved spectroscopy. 1 Ms long exposures with next generation detectors will allow to detect ~400 O VII+O VIII X-ray emission systems that we use to trace the spatial distribution of the WHIM. We predict that these observations will allow to estimate the WHIM correlation function with high statistical significance out to ~10 Mpc h^-1 and characterize its dynamical state through the analysis of redshift-space distortions. The detectable WHIM, which is typically associated with the outskirts of virialized regions rather than the filaments has a non-zero correlation function with slope γ = -1.7 \pm 0.1 and correlation length r0 = 4.0 \pm 0.1 Mpc h^-1 in the range r = [4.5, 12] Mpc h^-1. Redshift space distances can be measured to assess the dynamical properties of the gas, typically infalling onto large virialized structures.

astro-ph.CO↗
arXiv2010

GeV emission from short Gamma-Ray Bursts: the case of GRB 081024B

We investigate whether the high energy tail detected by the Fermi/LAT for the short GRB 081024B can be caused by synchrotron and self-Compton emission in the context of either the internal or external shock models. For the internal shock scenario, we explore the possibility of generating the high energy photons directly by means of the synchrotron process, or inverse Compton emission in which target photons are synchrotron photons produced in internal shocks taking place in a lately emitted shell (delayed internal shocks). In the external shock scenario, we test whether the high energy tail can be an extension of the afterglow synchrotron emission, or alternatively the inverse Compton component associated with the afterglow synchrotron photons. For the internal shock scenario, we conclude that only an inverse Compton component from delayed internal shocks can explain the high energy tail that extends to the GeV range. In the external shock scenario, we show that the high energy tail may be interpreted as synchrotron afterglow emission, if the slow cooling phase starts as early as a few seconds after the trigger. On the other hand, the observed high energy tail is consistent with an inverse Compton component of the afterglow in the fast cooling regime.

astro-ph.CO↗
arXiv2010

High energy emission components in the short GRB 090510

We investigate the origin of the prompt and delayed emission observed in the short GRB 090510. We use the broad-band data to test whether the most popular theoretical models for gamma-ray burst emission can accommodate the observations for this burst. We first attempt to explain the soft-to-hard spectral evolution associated with the delayed onset of a GeV tail with the hypothesis that the prompt burst and the high energy tail both originate from a single process, namely synchrotron emission from internal shocks. Considerations on the compactness of the source imply that the high-energy tail should be produced in a late-emitted shell, characterized by a Lorentz factor greater than the one generating the prompt burst. However, in this hypothesis, the predicted evolution of the synchrotron peak frequency does not agree with the observed soft-to-hard evolution. Given the difficulties of a single-mechanism hypothesis, we test two alternative double-component scenarios. In the first, the prompt burst is explained as synchrotron radiation from internal shocks, and the high energy emission (up to about 1 s following the trigger) as internal shock synchrotron-self-Compton. In the second scenario, in view of its long duration (\sim 100 s), the high energy tail is decoupled from the prompt burst and has an external shock origin. In this case, we show that a reasonable choice of parameters does indeed exist to accommodate the optical-to-GeV data, provided the Lorentz factor of the shocked shell is sufficiently high. Finally, we attempt to explain the chromatic break observed around \sim 1e3 s with a structured jet model. We find that this might be a viable explanation, and that it lowers the high value of the burst energy derived assuming isotropy, \sim 1e53 erg, below \sim 1e49 erg, more compatible with the energetics from a binary merger progenitor.

astro-ph.CO↗
arXiv2005

Global properties of X-ray afterglows of GRB

In this paper we review the general properties of X-ray afterglows. We discuss in particular on the powerful diagnostics provided by X-ray afterglows in constraining the environment and fireball in normal GRB, and the implications on the origin of dark GRB and XRF. We also discuss on the observed properties of the transition from the prompt to the afterglow phase, and present a case study for a late X-ray outburst interpreted as the onset of the afterglow stage.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2005

ESTREMO: Extreme phySics in the TRansient and Evolving COsmos

We present a mission designed for the study of transient phenomena in the high energy sky, through a wide field X-ray/hard X-ray monitor, and fast (< 1 min) follow up observations with Narrow Field Instrumentation. This is based on an X-ray telescope with an area of 1000 cm2, equipped with high-resolution spectroscopy microcalorimeters and X-ray polarimeter. The performances of the mission on the physics of GRB and their use as cosmological probes are presented and discussed.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2004

X-ray spectroscopy of Gamma-Ray Bursts

In this review we briefly summarize the recent developments in the research on Gamma-Ray Bursts, and discuss in more details the recent results derived from X-ray spectroscopy, in particular the detection of X-ray narrow features and their implication on our understanding on the origin of GRB. Finally, we outline the importance of high resolution spectroscopy in X-rays, which can provide new clues on the nature of progenitors, and a powerful probe of the early Universe and primordial galaxy formation .

astro-ph↗
arXiv2002

X-Ray Spectroscopy of Gamma-Ray Bursts

Observational evidence of iron absorption and emission lines in X-ray spectra of Gamma-Ray Bursts is quite compelling. I will briefly review the results, summarize different models and describe the connection with massive progenitors in star-forming regions implied by these results. This link is also supported by measurements of the X-ray absorbing gas in several GRB's, with column density consistent with that of Giant Molecular Clouds harbouring star-formation in our Galaxy, as well as by evidences gathered in other wavelengths. However, the volume density inferred by the fireball-jet model is much lower than typical of a GMC, and I will confront this with the alternative explanation of fireball expansion in a high dense medium, outlining the problems that both models have at present. Finally I will briefly summarize some results on dark GRB's, and describe the prospects of high resolution X-ray spectroscopy in getting closer to the central environment of GRB, and far in the Early Universe by using GRB as beacons to probe star and galaxy formation.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2001

The Energy Distribution of Long Duration GRBS

The energy release in gamma-ray bursts is one of the most interesting clues on the nature of their "inner engines". We show here that the total energy release in GRBs varies by less than one order of magnitude from one burst to another while the energy emitted in $γ$-ray photons varies by more than an order of magnitude. This result indicates that the central engine of long duration GRB has a remarkably constant energy output which provides very important constraint on the nature of these enigmatic explosions. The broader distribution of the observed $γ$-ray flux, about three orders of magnitude in width, can be attributed, in part, to a variation in the opening angle of the collimated explosion, and in part to the variation of Lorentz factor across the jet as well as a variable efficiency for converting the kinetic energy of explosion to $γ$-rays.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2000

X-Ray Afterglows of Gamma-Ray Bursts

The afterglow emission has become the main stream of Gamma-Ray burst research since its discovery three years ago. With the distance-scale enigma solved, the study of the late-time GRB emission is now the most promising approach to disclose the origin of these explosions and their relationship with the environment of the host galaxy in the early phase of the Universe. In this contribution I will review X-ray observations and their implication on our undertstanding on the GRB phenomenon. These measurements are providing a direct probe into the nature of the progenitor and a measurement of the GRB beaming properties, crucial to establish the total energy output. Some evidence of iron lines connects the GRB explosion with massive progenitors, thence with star-forming regions. Furthermore a comparison of the spectral properties with the temporal evolution indicates that the fireball expansion should not be - on average - highly collimated, with a jet angle $>10 °$.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2000

Prompt Optical Observations of Gamma-ray Bursts

The Robotic Optical Transient Search Experiment (ROTSE) seeks to measure simultaneous and early afterglow optical emission from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). A search for optical counterparts to six GRBs with localization errors of 1 square degree or better produced no detections. The earliest limiting sensitivity is m(ROTSE) > 13.1 at 10.85 seconds (5 second exposure) after the gamma-ray rise, and the best limit is m(ROTSE) > 16.0 at 62 minutes (897 second exposure). These are the most stringent limits obtained for GRB optical counterpart brightness in the first hour after the burst. Consideration of the gamma-ray fluence and peak flux for these bursts and for GRB990123 indicates that there is not a strong positive correlation between optical flux and gamma-ray emission.

astro-ph↗
arXiv1999

Prompt Optical Emission from Gamma-ray Bursts

The Robotic Optical Transient Search Experiment (ROTSE) seeks to measure contemporaneous and early afterglow optical emission from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The ROTSE-I telescope array has been fully automated and responding to burst alerts from the GRB Coordinates Network since March 1998, taking prompt optical data for 30 bursts in its first year. We will briefly review observations of GRB990123 which revealed the first detection of an optical burst occurring during the gamma-ray emission, reaching 9th magnitude at its peak. In addition, we present here preliminary optical results for seven other gamma-ray bursts. No other optical counterparts were seen in this analysis, and the best limiting sensitivities are m(V) > 13.0 at 14.7 seconds after the gamma-ray rise, and m(V) > 16.4 at 62 minutes. These are the most stringent limits obtained for GRB optical counterpart brightness in the first hour after the burst. This analysis suggests that there is not a strong correlation between optical flux and gamma-ray emission.

astro-ph↗
arXiv1997

Hubble Space Telescope Imaging of the Optical Transient Associated with GRB970508

We report on Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of the optical transient (OT) discovered in the error box of the gamma-ray burst GRB970508. The object was imaged on 1997 June 2 with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS). The observations reveal a point-like source with R = 23.1 +- 0.2 and H = 20.6 +- 0.3, in agreement with the power-law temporal decay seen in ground-based monitoring. Unlike the case of GRB970228, no nebulosity is detected surrounding the OT of GRB970508. We set very conservative upper limits of R ~ 24.5 and H ~ 22.2 on the brightness of any underlying extended source. If this subtends a substantial fraction of an arcsecond, then the R band limit is ~25.5. In combination with Keck spectra that show Mg I absorption and [O II] emission at a redshift of z = 0.835, our observations suggest that the OT is located in a star-forming galaxy with total luminosity one order of magnitude lower than the knee of the galaxy luminosity function, L*. Such galaxies are now thought to harbor the majority of star formation at z ~ 1; therefore, these observations may provide support for a link between GRBs and star formation.

astro-ph↗