A systematic analysis of X-ray afterglows of gamma-ray burst observed by XMM-Newton

This work is part of a systematic re-analysis program of all the data of Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) X-ray afterglows observed so far, in order to constrain the GRB models. We present here a systematic analysis of those afterglows observed by XMM-Newton between January 2000 and March 2004. This dataset includes GRB 011211 and GRB 030329. We have obtained spectra, light curves and colors for these afterglows. In this paper we focus on the continuum spectral and temporal behavior. We compare these values with the theoretical ones expected from the fireball model. We derive constraints about the burst environment (absorption, density profile) and put constraints on their beaming angle.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, COSPAR proceeding accepted for publication in Advances in Space Researc

Can the jet steepen the light curves of GRB afterglow?

Beaming of relativistic ejecta in GRBs has been postulated by many authors in order to reduce the total GRB energy, thus it is very important to look for the observational evidence of beaming. Rhoads (1999) has pointed out that the dynamics of the blast wave, which is formed when the beamed ejecta sweeping the external medium, will be significantly modified by the sideways expansion due to the increased swept up matter. He claimed that shortly after the bulk Lorentz factor ($\Gamma$) of the blast wave drops below the inverse of the initial opening angle ($\theta_{0}$) of the beamed ejecta, there will be a sharp break in the afterglow light curves. However, some other authors have performed numerical calculations and shown that the break of the light curve is weaker and much smoother than the one analytically predicted. In this paper we reanalyse the dynamical evolution of the jet blast wave, calculate the jet emission analytically, we find that the sharp break predicted by Rhoads will actually not exist, and for most cases the afterglow light curve will almost not be affected by sideways expansion unless the beaming angle is extremely small. We demonstrate that only when $\theta_{0}<0.1$, the afterglow light curves may be steepened by sideways expansion, and in fact there cannot be two breaks as claimed before. We have also constructed a simple numerical code to verify our conclusion.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, accepted by ApJ, added numerical calculation

On the anomalous X-ray afterglows of GRB 970508 and GRB 970828

Recently, BeppoSAX and ASCA have reported an unusual resurgence of soft X-ray emission during the afterglows of GRB 970508 and GRB 970828, together with marginal evidence for the existence of Fe-lines in both objects. We consider the implications of the existence of a torus of iron-rich material surrounding the sites of gamma ray bursts as would be expected in the SupraNova model; in particular, we show that the fireball will quickly hit this torus, and bring it to a temperature ~3x10^7 K. Bremsstrahlung emission from the heated up torus will cause a resurgence of the soft X-ray emission with all expected characteristics (flux level, duration and spectral hardening with time) identical to those observed during the reburst. Also, thermal emission from the torus will account for the observed iron line flux. These events are also observable, for instance by new missions such as SWIFT, when beaming away from our line sight makes us miss the main burst, as Fast (soft) X-ray Transients, with durations ~10^3 s, and fluences ~10^-7-10^-4 erg cm^-2. This model provides evidence in favor of the SupraNova model for Gamma Ray Bursts.Comment: To appear in MN Pink pages, MN-LateX, no figure

Possible evolutionary transition from rapidly rotating neutron stars to strange stars due to spin-down

We present a scenario of formation of strange stars due to spin-down of {\it rapidly rotating} neutron stars left after supernova explosions . By assuming a process where the total baryon mass is conserved but the angular momentum is lost due to emission of gravitational waves and/or the magnetic braking, we find that the transition from rapidly rotating neutron stars to slowly rotating strange stars is possible; a large amount of energy $\sim 10^{53} ergs$ could be released. The liberated energy might become a new energy source for a delayed explosion of supernova. Furthermore, our scenario suggests that the supernova associated with gamma-ray bursts could become candidates for targets in the future observation of gravitational waves.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, Received November 5, 200

Euclidean vs. non-Euclidean Gamma-Ray Bursts

We classify gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) according to their observed durations and physical properties of their spectra. We find that long/hard bursts (of duration T_90 > 2.5 s, and typical photon energy E_p > 0.8 MeV corresponding to BATSE's energy fluence hardness H^e_{32} > 3) show the strongest deviation from the three-dimensional Euclidean brightness distribution. The majority of GRBs, i.e., short bursts (T_90 2.5 s, and H^e_{32} < 3) show little, if any, deviations from the Euclidean distribution. These results contradict the prediction of simple extragalactic GRB models that the most distant bursts should be the most affected by cosmological energy redshift and time-dilation (long/soft GRBs). The strongly non-Euclidean GRB subclass has very hard spectra of typical photon energy above 1 MeV, i.e., outside the ideal energy range for optimal detection by BATSE. We discuss possible explanations of this puzzling feature of GRBs.Comment: 15 pages, LATEX text plus two postscript figures included. Submitted to ApJ Letters on November 24, 1997. Accepted on February 13, 199

Fireballs Loading and the Blast Wave Model of Gamma Ray Bursts

A simple function for the spectral power $P(\epsilon,t) \equiv \nu L(\nu)$ is proposed to model, with 9 parameters, the spectral and temporal evolution of the observed nonthermal synchrotron power flux from GRBs in the blast wave model. Here $\epsilon = h\nu/$m$_e$c$^2$ is the observed dimensionless photon energy and $t$ is the observing time. Assumptions and an issue of lack of self-consistency are spelled out. The spectra are found to be most sensitive to the baryon loading, expressed in terms of the initial bulk Lorentz factor $\Gamma_0$, and an equipartition term $q$ which is assumed to be constant in time and independent of $\Gamma_0$. Expressions are given for the peak spectral power $P_p(t) = P(\epsilon_p,t)$ at the photon energy $\epsilon = \epsilon_p(t)$ of the spectral power peak. A general rule is that the total fireball particle kinetic energy $E_0 \sim \Pi_0 t_d$, where $t_d \propto \Gamma_0^{-8/3}$ is the deceleration time scale and $\Pi_0 \equiv P(\epsilon_p,t_d) \propto \Gamma_0^{8/3}$ is the maximum measured bolometric power output in radiation, during which it is carried primarily by photons with energy ${\cal E}_0 = \epsilon_p(t_d) \propto q\Gamma_0^4$.Comment: 26 pages, including 4 figures, uses epsf.sty, rotate.sty; submitted to ApJ; revised version with extended introduction, redrawn figures, and correction

A direct view of the AGN powering IRAS12393+3520

We report the first direct X-ray evidence that an AGN is hidden in the center of IRAS12393+3520. An ASCA observation of this target unveiled a bright (0.5-10 keV luminosity 3.9 x 10^42 erg/s) and variable source, with minimum observed doubling/halving time scale comprised in the range 30-75 ks. A model composed by a simple power-law, with photon index ~1.8 and an absorption edge, whose threshold energy is consistent with K-shell photoionization of OVII, provides an adequate fit of the spectrum. This suggests that we are observing the emission from the nuclear region through a warm absorber of N_H a few 10^{21}/cm/cm. If it has internal dust with Galactic gas-to-dust ratio, it could explain the lack of broad Hbeta emission, even in the episodic presence of a broad Halpha emission line. Optical spectra obtained over several years show indeed variations in the strength of this broad Halpha component. A distribution of dusty, optically thick matter on spatial scales a few hundreds parsec, which does not intercept the line of sight towards the nucleus, is probably required to account simultaneously for the relative [OIII] luminosity deficit in comparison to the X-rays. The high IR to X-ray luminosity ratio is most likely due to intense star formation in the circumnuclear region. IRAS12393+3520 might thus exhibit simultaneously nuclear activity and remarkable star formation.Comment: 9 Latex pages, 8 figures, Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Methemoglobinemia Associated with Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis: A Single-Center Experience

Objective â Methemoglobinemia (MetHb) is a rare congenital or acquired cause of infantile cyanosis. We examined the role of MetHb in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Study Design â A retrospective observational study was conducted reviewing blood gas analyses of hospitalized newborns over a 2-year period. MetHb-positive patients (MetHb &gt;1.8%) were matched with a control group for gestational age, weight, disease, and illness severity at admission. Maternal, neonatal, clinical, and laboratory parameters were collected and analyzed in both groups. Results â MetHb incidence was 6%. The mean MetHb in the case group was 7.2%, and the first positive samples were observed at a mean of 22 days of life, 6 days prior to clinical or culture-proven sepsis. We identified low maternal age (31 vs. 34 years; p = 0.038), sepsis (90 vs. 45%; p = 0.022), and protracted parenteral nutrition (46 vs. 23 days; p = 0.013) as risk factors for MetHb, and early minimal enteral feeding as protective factor (12th vs. 9th day; p = 0.038). Conclusion â MetHb has a high occurrence in NICU and can be a helpful prognostic indicator of an infectious process. Understanding and prompt identification of MetHb can allow pediatricians to implement a life-saving therapy