Swift Observations of GRB 070110: An Extraordinary X-Ray Afterglow Powered by the Central Engine
Abstract
We present a detailed analysis of Swift multiwavelength observations of GRB 070110 and its remarkable afterglow. The early X-ray light curve, interpreted as the tail of the prompt emission, displays a spectral evolution already seen in other gamma-ray bursts. The optical afterglow shows a shallow decay up to ~2 days after the burst, which is not consistent with standard afterglow models. The most intriguing feature is a very steep decay in the X-ray flux at ~2×104 s after the burst, ending an apparent plateau. The abrupt drop of the X-ray light curve rules out an external shock as the origin of the plateau in this burst and implies long-lasting activity of the central engine. The temporal and spectral properties of the plateau phase point toward a continuous central engine emission rather than the episodic emission of X-ray flares. We suggest that the observed X-ray plateau is powered by a spinning-down central engine, possibly a millisecond pulsar, which dissipates energy at an internal radius before depositing energy into the external shock.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- August 2007
- DOI:
- 10.1086/519450
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/0702220
- Bibcode:
- 2007ApJ...665..599T
- Keywords:
-
- Gamma Rays: Bursts;
- X-rays: individual (GRB 070110);
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 10 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ. Main change: refined analysis of optical data