ABSTRACT
A significant fraction (30 per cent) of well-localized short gamma-ray bursts (sGRBs) lack a coincident host galaxy. This leads to two main scenarios: (i) that the progenitor system merged ...outside of the visible light of its host, or (ii) that the sGRB resided within a faint and distant galaxy that was not detected by follow-up observations. Discriminating between these scenarios has important implications for constraining the formation channels of neutron star mergers, the rate and environments of gravitational wave sources, and the production of heavy elements in the Universe. In this work, we present the results of our observing campaign targeted at 31 sGRBs that lack a putative host galaxy. Our study effectively doubles the sample of well-studied sGRB host galaxies, now totaling 72 events of which $28{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ lack a coincident host to deep limits (r ≳ 26 or F110W ≳ 27 AB mag), and represents the largest homogeneously selected catalogue of sGRB offsets to date. We find that 70 per cent of sub-arcsecond localized sGRBs occur within 10 kpc of their host’s nucleus, with a median projected physical offset of 5.6 kpc. Using this larger population, we discover an apparent redshift evolution in their locations: bursts at low-z occur at 2 × larger offsets compared to those at z > 0.5. This evolution could be due to a physical evolution of the host galaxies themselves or a bias against faint high-z galaxies. Furthermore, we discover a sample of hostless sGRBs at z ≳ 1 that are indicative of a larger high-z population, constraining the redshift distribution and disfavoring lognormal delay time models.
ABSTRACT
We report on our observing campaign of the compact binary merger GW190814, detected by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors on 2019 August 14. This signal has the best localization ...of any observed gravitational wave (GW) source, with a 90 per cent probability area of 18.5 deg2, and an estimated distance of ≈240 Mpc. We obtained wide-field observations with the Deca-Degree Optical Transient Imager (DDOTI) covering 88 per cent of the probability area down to a limiting magnitude of w = 19.9 AB. Nearby galaxies within the high probability region were targeted with the Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT), whereas promising candidate counterparts were characterized through multicolour photometry with the Reionization and Transients InfraRed (RATIR) and spectroscopy with the Gran Telescopio de Canarias (GTC). We use our optical and near-infrared limits in conjunction with the upper limits obtained by the community to constrain the possible electromagnetic counterparts associated with the merger. A gamma-ray burst seen along its jet’s axis is disfavoured by the multiwavelength data set, whereas the presence of a burst seen at larger viewing angles is not well constrained. Although our observations are not sensitive to a kilonova similar to AT2017gfo, we can rule out high-mass (>0.1 M⊙) fast-moving (mean velocity ≥0.3c) wind ejecta for a possible kilonova associated with this merger.
Long duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are powerful cosmic explosions, signaling the death of massive stars. Among them, GRB 221009A is by far the brightest burst ever observed. Due to its enormous ...energy (\(E_\textrm{iso}\!\approx\)10\(^{55}\) erg) and proximity (\(z\!\approx\)0.15), GRB 221009A is an exceptionally rare event that pushes the limits of our theories. We present multi-wavelength observations covering the first three months of its afterglow evolution. The X-ray brightness decays as a power-law with slope \(\approx\!t^{-1.66}\), which is not consistent with standard predictions for jetted emission. We attribute this behavior to a shallow energy profile of the relativistic jet. A similar trend is observed in other energetic GRBs, suggesting that the most extreme explosions may be powered by structured jets launched by a common central engine.
We report on our observing campaign of the compact binary merger GW190814, detected by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors on August 14th, 2019. This signal has the best localisation of ...any observed gravitational wave (GW) source, with a 90% probability area of 18.5 deg\(^2\), and an estimated distance of ~ 240 Mpc. We obtained wide-field observations with the Deca-Degree Optical Transient Imager (DDOTI) covering 88% of the probability area down to a limiting magnitude of \(w\) = 19.9 AB. Nearby galaxies within the high probability region were targeted with the Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT), whereas promising candidate counterparts were characterized through multi-colour photometry with the Reionization and Transients InfraRed (RATIR) and spectroscopy with the Gran Telescopio de Canarias (GTC). We use our optical and near-infrared limits in conjunction with the upper limits obtained by the community to constrain the possible electromagnetic counterparts associated with the merger. A gamma-ray burst seen along its jet's axis is disfavoured by the multi-wavelength dataset, whereas the presence of a burst seen at larger viewing angles is not well constrained. Although our observations are not sensitive to a kilonova similar to AT2017gfo, we can rule out high-mass (> 0.1 M\(_{\odot}\)) fast-moving (mean velocity >= 0.3c) wind ejecta for a possible kilonova associated with this merger.
A significant fraction (30\%) of well-localized short gamma-ray bursts
(sGRBs) lack a coincident host galaxy. This leads to two main scenarios:
\textit{i}) that the progenitor system merged outside ...of the visible light of
its host, or \textit{ii}) that the sGRB resided within a faint and distant
galaxy that was not detected by follow-up observations. Discriminating between
these scenarios has important implications for constraining the formation
channels of neutron star mergers, the rate and environments of gravitational
wave sources, and the production of heavy elements in the Universe. In this
work, we present the results of our observing campaign targeted at 31 sGRBs
that lack a putative host galaxy. Our study effectively doubles the sample of
well-studied sGRB host galaxies, now totaling 72 events of which $28\%$ lack a
coincident host to deep limits ($r$\,$\gtrsim$\,$26$ or
$F110W$\,$\gtrsim$\,$27$ AB mag), and represents the largest homogeneously
selected catalog of sGRB offsets to date. We find that 70\% of sub-arcsecond
localized sGRBs occur within 10 kpc of their host's nucleus, with a median
projected physical offset of $5.6$ kpc. Using this larger population, we
discover an apparent redshift evolution in their locations: bursts at low-$z$
occur at $2\times$ larger offsets compared to those at $z$\,$>$\,$0.5$. This
evolution could be due to a physical evolution of the host galaxies themselves
or a bias against faint high-$z$ galaxies. Furthermore, we discover a sample of
hostless sGRBs at $z$\,$\gtrsim$\,$1$ that are indicative of a larger high-$z$
population, constraining the redshift distribution and disfavoring log-normal
delay time models.
A significant fraction (30\%) of well-localized short gamma-ray bursts (sGRBs) lack a coincident host galaxy. This leads to two main scenarios: \textit{i}) that the progenitor system merged outside ...of the visible light of its host, or \textit{ii}) that the sGRB resided within a faint and distant galaxy that was not detected by follow-up observations. Discriminating between these scenarios has important implications for constraining the formation channels of neutron star mergers, the rate and environments of gravitational wave sources, and the production of heavy elements in the Universe. In this work, we present the results of our observing campaign targeted at 31 sGRBs that lack a putative host galaxy. Our study effectively doubles the sample of well-studied sGRB host galaxies, now totaling 72 events of which \(28\%\) lack a coincident host to deep limits (\(r\)\,\(\gtrsim\)\,\(26\) or \(F110W\)\,\(\gtrsim\)\,\(27\) AB mag), and represents the largest homogeneously selected catalog of sGRB offsets to date. We find that 70\% of sub-arcsecond localized sGRBs occur within 10 kpc of their host's nucleus, with a median projected physical offset of \(5.6\) kpc. Using this larger population, we discover an apparent redshift evolution in their locations: bursts at low-\(z\) occur at \(2\times\) larger offsets compared to those at \(z\)\,\(>\)\,\(0.5\). This evolution could be due to a physical evolution of the host galaxies themselves or a bias against faint high-\(z\) galaxies. Furthermore, we discover a sample of hostless sGRBs at \(z\)\,\(\gtrsim\)\,\(1\) that are indicative of a larger high-\(z\) population, constraining the redshift distribution and disfavoring log-normal delay time models.
The performance of surge arresters during electromagnetic transients on power systems can be simulated with Electromagnetic Transient Program (EMTP) type computer programs. This paper discusses the ...steps to be performed for deriving the parameters needed to represent gapless metal-oxide surge arresters in transient simulations. The paper includes a summary of the mathematical representation, guidelines for choosing appropriate parameters, and the conversion procedures used to obtain parameters.
We report observations of the optical counterpart of the long gamma-ray burst GRB 221009A. Due to the extreme rarity of being both nearby (z = 0.151) and highly energetic (Eϒ,iso≥ 1054erg), GRB ...221009A offers a unique opportunity to probe the connection between massive star core collapse and relativistic jet formation across a very broad range of γ-ray properties. Adopting a phenomenological power-law model for the afterglow and host galaxy estimates from high-resolution Hubble Space Telescope imaging, we use Bayesian model comparison techniques to determine the likelihood of an associated supernova (SN) contributing excess flux to the optical light curve. Though not conclusive, we find moderate evidence (KBayes=101.2for the presence of an additional component arising from an associated SN, SN 2022xiw, and find that it must be substantially fainter (<67% as bright at the 99% confidence interval) than SN 1998bw. Given the large and uncertain line-of-sight extinction, we attempt to constrain the SN parameters (MNi, Mejand EKE) under several different assumptions with respect to the host galaxy's extinction. We find properties that are broadly consistent with previous GRB-associated SNe: MNi = 0.05–0.25 M⊙, Mej = 3.5–11.1 M⊙, and EKE = (1.6–5.2) × 1052 erg. We note that these properties are weakly constrained due to the faintness of the SN with respect to the afterglow and host emission, but we do find a robust upper limit on MNi of MNi < 0.36 M⊙. Given the tremendous range in isotropic gamma-ray energy release exhibited by GRBs (seven orders of magnitude), the SN emission appears to be decoupled from the central engine in these systems.
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