The Explosion Geometries of Short GRBs: Implications for Energetics and Rates
Abstract
The jet angle distribution for short GRBs is sparsely determined yet essential to constrain due to its direct implications for the true energy scale and event rate. Our current knowledge of the distribution comes from late-time X-ray observations (>1 day after the burst). Here, we propose XMM-Newton TOO observations to monitor a short GRB afterglow and constrain its collimation from the detection or non-detection of a jet break, to constrain >10-20 deg. A precise calculation of the angle additionally requires broad-band afterglow observations to constrain the GRB energy and circumburst density. With our ongoing broad-band short GRB TOO programs, our group is uniquly poised to provide the tightest constraints on these angles.
- Publication:
-
XMM-Newton Proposal
- Pub Date:
- October 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012xmm..prop...90F
- Keywords:
-
- White Dwarf Binaries;
- Neutron Star Binaries;
- Cataclysmic Variables;
- ULXs;
- Black Holes;
- GRB;
- GRB