Toward the Progenitors of Short Gamma-Ray Bursts
Abstract
The study of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) has progressed rapidly in recent years thanks to gamma-ray discoveries by the Swift and Fermi satellites and intensive ground- and space-based follow-up at longer wavelengths. Of particular importance is the discovery of afterglow emission from short GRBs at X-ray to radio wavelengths, as well as recent advances in the study of the prompt emission using Fermi's unprecedented broad high-energy coverage. In this talk I will summarize a wide set of observations of short GRBs and their environments which are beginning to shed light on the nature of the progenitors. I will also summarize recent results from Fermi that shed new light on the nature of the prompt emission mechanism, a 40-year old open question.
- Publication:
-
AAS/High Energy Astrophysics Division #11
- Pub Date:
- March 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010HEAD...11.0201B