Early Optical Polarization of a Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglow | Zendy

C. G. Mundell | Zendy; I. A. Steele | Zendy; R. J. Smith | Zendy; S. Kobayashi | Zendy; A. Melandri | Zendy; C. Guidorzi | Zendy; A. Gomboc | Zendy; C. J. Mottram | Zendy; D. Clarke | Zendy; A. Monfardini | Zendy; David Carter | Zendy; D. Bersier | Zendy

AI Assistant Blog Pricing

Home ZAIA Blog

Open Access

Early Optical Polarization of a Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglow

Author(s) -

C. G. Mundell,

I. A. Steele,

R. J. Smith,

S. Kobayashi,

A. Melandri,

C. Guidorzi,

A. Gomboc,

C. J. Mottram,

D. Clarke,

A. Monfardini,

David Carter,

D. Bersier

Publication year - 2007

Publication title -

science

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 12.556

H-Index - 1186

eISSN - 1095-9203

pISSN - 0036-8075

DOI - 10.1126/science.1138484

Subject(s) - afterglow , gamma ray burst , physics , polarimeter , brightness , ejecta , polarization (electrochemistry) , astrophysics , telescope , astronomy , optics , polarimetry , supernova , chemistry , scattering

We report the optical polarization of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglow, obtained 203 seconds after the initial burst of gamma-rays from GRB 060418, using a ring polarimeter on the robotic Liverpool Telescope. Our robust (2sigma) upper limit on the percentage of polarization, less than 8%, coincides with the fireball deceleration time at the onset of the afterglow. The combination of the rate of decay of the optical brightness and the low polarization at this critical time constrains standard models of GRB ejecta, ruling out the presence of a large-scale ordered magnetic field in the emitting region.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.

Having issues? You can contact us here

Accelerating Research