GRB 060218/SN 2006aj: A gamma-ray burst and prompt supernova at z = 0.0335

N. Mirabal; J. P. Halpern; D. An; J. R. Thorstensen; D. M. Terndrup

doi:10.1086/505177

GRB 060218/SN 2006aj: A gamma-ray burst and prompt supernova at z = 0.0335

N. Mirabal, J. P. Halpern, D. An, J. R. Thorstensen, D. M. Terndrup

Department of Science Education

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Abstract

We report the imaging and spectroscopic localization of GRB 060218 to a low-metallicity dwarf starburst galaxy at z = 0.03345 ± 0.00006. In addition to making it the second nearest gamma-ray burst known, optical spectroscopy reveals the earliest detection of weak, supernova-like Si II near 5720 Å (∼0.1c), starting 1.95 days after the burst trigger. UBVRI photometry obtained between 1 and 26 days postburst confirms the early rise of supernova light, and suggests a short time delay between the gamma-ray burst and the onset of SN 2006aj if the early appearance of a soft component in the X-ray spectrum is understood as a "shock breakout." Together, these results verify the long-hypothesized origin of soft gamma-ray bursts in the deaths of massive stars.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	L99-L102
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	643
Issue number	2 II
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/505177
State	Published - 1 Jun 2006

Keywords

Gamma rays: bursts
Supernovae: general
Supernovae: individual (SN 2006aj)

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10.1086/505177

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@article{49943a7afdde4de68f31067c28c59e38,

title = "GRB 060218/SN 2006aj: A gamma-ray burst and prompt supernova at z = 0.0335",

abstract = "We report the imaging and spectroscopic localization of GRB 060218 to a low-metallicity dwarf starburst galaxy at z = 0.03345 ± 0.00006. In addition to making it the second nearest gamma-ray burst known, optical spectroscopy reveals the earliest detection of weak, supernova-like Si II near 5720 {\AA} (∼0.1c), starting 1.95 days after the burst trigger. UBVRI photometry obtained between 1 and 26 days postburst confirms the early rise of supernova light, and suggests a short time delay between the gamma-ray burst and the onset of SN 2006aj if the early appearance of a soft component in the X-ray spectrum is understood as a {"}shock breakout.{"} Together, these results verify the long-hypothesized origin of soft gamma-ray bursts in the deaths of massive stars.",

keywords = "Gamma rays: bursts, Supernovae: general, Supernovae: individual (SN 2006aj)",

author = "N. Mirabal and Halpern, {J. P.} and D. An and Thorstensen, {J. R.} and Terndrup, {D. M.}",

note = "Funding Information: 5 IRAF is distributed by the National Optical Astronomy Observatories, which are operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under grant 0206051.",

year = "2006",

month = jun,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1086/505177",

language = "English",

volume = "643",

pages = "L99--L102",

journal = "Astrophysical Journal",

issn = "0004-637X",

publisher = "American Astronomical Society",

number = "2 II",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - GRB 060218/SN 2006aj

T2 - A gamma-ray burst and prompt supernova at z = 0.0335

AU - Mirabal, N.

AU - Halpern, J. P.

AU - An, D.

AU - Thorstensen, J. R.

AU - Terndrup, D. M.

N1 - Funding Information: 5 IRAF is distributed by the National Optical Astronomy Observatories, which are operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under grant 0206051.

PY - 2006/6/1

Y1 - 2006/6/1

N2 - We report the imaging and spectroscopic localization of GRB 060218 to a low-metallicity dwarf starburst galaxy at z = 0.03345 ± 0.00006. In addition to making it the second nearest gamma-ray burst known, optical spectroscopy reveals the earliest detection of weak, supernova-like Si II near 5720 Å (∼0.1c), starting 1.95 days after the burst trigger. UBVRI photometry obtained between 1 and 26 days postburst confirms the early rise of supernova light, and suggests a short time delay between the gamma-ray burst and the onset of SN 2006aj if the early appearance of a soft component in the X-ray spectrum is understood as a "shock breakout." Together, these results verify the long-hypothesized origin of soft gamma-ray bursts in the deaths of massive stars.

AB - We report the imaging and spectroscopic localization of GRB 060218 to a low-metallicity dwarf starburst galaxy at z = 0.03345 ± 0.00006. In addition to making it the second nearest gamma-ray burst known, optical spectroscopy reveals the earliest detection of weak, supernova-like Si II near 5720 Å (∼0.1c), starting 1.95 days after the burst trigger. UBVRI photometry obtained between 1 and 26 days postburst confirms the early rise of supernova light, and suggests a short time delay between the gamma-ray burst and the onset of SN 2006aj if the early appearance of a soft component in the X-ray spectrum is understood as a "shock breakout." Together, these results verify the long-hypothesized origin of soft gamma-ray bursts in the deaths of massive stars.

KW - Gamma rays: bursts

KW - Supernovae: general

KW - Supernovae: individual (SN 2006aj)

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U2 - 10.1086/505177

DO - 10.1086/505177

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:33746888253

SN - 0004-637X

VL - 643

SP - L99-L102

JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

IS - 2 II

ER -

GRB 060218/SN 2006aj: A gamma-ray burst and prompt supernova at z = 0.0335

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Keywords

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