GRB 060218/SN 2006aj: A Gamma-Ray Burst and Prompt Supernova at z=0.0335

Preprint
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
  • 24 March 2006
Abstract
We report the imaging and spectroscopic localization of GRB 060218 to a low-metallicity dwarf starburst galaxy at z = 0.03345 +/- 0.00006. In addition to making it the second nearest gamma-ray burst known, optical spectroscopy reveals the earliest detection of weak, supernova-like Si II near 5720 Angstroms, starting 1.95 days after the burst trigger. UBVRI photometry obtained between 1 and 26 days post-burst confirms the early rise of supernova light, and agrees with an upper limit Delta t < 159 s for the delay between the gamma-ray burst and the onset of the supernova explosion if the early appearance of a soft component in the X-ray spectrum is understood as a ``shock breakout''. Together, these results verify the long-hypothesized origin of soft gamma-ray bursts in the deaths of massive stars.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: