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Early optical emission from the γ-ray burst of 4 October 2002

Author

Listed:
  • D. W. Fox

    (California Institute of Technology (Caltech))

  • S. Yost

    (California Institute of Technology (Caltech))

  • S. R. Kulkarni

    (California Institute of Technology (Caltech))

  • K. Torii

    (Cosmic Radiation Laboratory, RIKEN)

  • T. Kato

    (Kyoto University)

  • H. Yamaoka

    (Kyushu University)

  • M. Sako

    (California Institute of Technology (Caltech))

  • F. A. Harrison

    (California Institute of Technology (Caltech))

  • R. Sari

    (California Institute of Technology (Caltech))

  • P. A. Price

    (RSAA, Mt Stromlo Observatory)

  • E. Berger

    (California Institute of Technology (Caltech))

  • A. M. Soderberg

    (California Institute of Technology (Caltech))

  • S. G. Djorgovski

    (California Institute of Technology (Caltech))

  • A. J. Barth

    (California Institute of Technology (Caltech))

  • S. H. Pravdo

    (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, MS 306-438)

  • D. A. Frail

    (National Radio Astronomy Observatory)

  • A. Gal-Yam

    (Tel-Aviv University)

  • Y. Lipkin

    (Tel-Aviv University)

  • T. Mauch

    (University of Sydney)

  • C. Harrison

    (RSAA, Mt Stromlo Observatory)

  • H. Buttery

    (Astrophysics Group, Cavendish Laboratory)

Abstract

Observations of the long-lived emission—or ‘afterglow’—of long-duration γ-ray bursts place them at cosmological distances, but the origin of these energetic explosions remains a mystery. Observations of optical emission contemporaneous with the burst of γ-rays should provide insight into the details of the explosion, as well as into the structure of the surrounding environment. One bright optical flash was detected during a burst1, but other efforts2,3 have produced negative results. Here we report the discovery of the optical counterpart of GRB021004 only 193 seconds after the event. The initial decline is unexpectedly slow and requires varying energy content in the γ-ray burst blastwave over the course of the first hour. Further analysis of the X-ray and optical afterglow suggests additional energy variations over the first few days.

Suggested Citation

  • D. W. Fox & S. Yost & S. R. Kulkarni & K. Torii & T. Kato & H. Yamaoka & M. Sako & F. A. Harrison & R. Sari & P. A. Price & E. Berger & A. M. Soderberg & S. G. Djorgovski & A. J. Barth & S. H. Pravdo , 2003. "Early optical emission from the γ-ray burst of 4 October 2002," Nature, Nature, vol. 422(6929), pages 284-286, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:422:y:2003:i:6929:d:10.1038_nature01504
    DOI: 10.1038/nature01504
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