3,094 research outputs found
Early observations of the Afterglow of GRB000301c
We report multiband observations of the Optical Transient (OT) associated
with GRB000301c carried out between 2--4 March 2000 using the 2.34-m Vainu
Bappu Telescope (VBT) at Kavalur, India. When combined with other reported
data, the initial decline in the R-band magnitude with log (), the time
since the burst is fit with a slope = -0.70 0.07 which
steepens after about 6.0 days to a slope of = -2.44 0.29.
This change in slope does not occur smoothly but there is an indication for a
bimodal distribution. The available measurements of the evolution of (B--R)
color do not show any discernible evolution in the first 12 days.Comment: 14 pages, 2 postscript figures, Accepted for Publication in ApJ
Letter
GRB Afterglows from Anisotropic Jets
Some progenitor models of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) (e.g., collapsars) may
produce anisotropic jets in which the energy per unit solid angle is a
power-law function of the angle (). We calculate light
curves and spectra for GRB afterglows when such jets expand either in the
interstellar medium or in the wind medium. In particular, we take into account
two kinds of wind: one () possibly from a typical red
supergiant star and another () possibly from a Wolf-Rayet
star. We find that in each type of medium, one break appears in the late-time
afterglow light curve for small but becomes weaker and smoother as
increases. When , the break seems to disappear but the afterglow decays
rapidly. Thus, one expects that the emission from expanding, highly anisotropic
jets provides a plausible explanation for some rapidly fading afteglows whose
light curves have no break. We also present good fits to the optical afterglow
light curve of GRB 991208. Finally, we argue that this burst might arise from a
highly anisotropic jet expanding in the wind () from a red
supergiant to interpret the observed radio-to-optical-band afterglow data
(spectrum and light curve).Comment: 12 pages + 10 figures, accepted by Ap
UBVRI CCD photometry of the OB associations Bochum 1 and Bochum 6
We report the first deep CCD photometry of 2460 stars in the field of
two poorly studied OB associations Bochum 1 and Bochum 6. We selected 15 and 14
probable members in Bochum 1 and Bochum 6 respectively using photometric
criteria and proper motion data of Tycho 2. Our analysis indicates variable
reddening having mean value of 0.470.10 and 0.710.13 mag
for Bochum 1 and Bochum 6 respectively. Using the zero-age main-sequence
fitting method, we derive a distance of 2.80.4 and 2.50.4 Kpc for
Bochum 1 and Bochum 6 respectively. We obtain an age of 105 Myrs for both
the associations from isochrone fitting. In both associations high and low mass
stars have probably formed together. Within the observational uncertainties,
mass spectrum of the both associations appears to be similar to the Salpeter's
one.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, 6 tables. Accepted for Bull. Astr. Soc. Indi
Non-uniform extinction in young open star clusters
The extinction law and the variation of colour excess with position,
luminosity as well as spectral class in young open star clusters NGC 663,
NGC869, NGC 884, NGC 1502, NGC 1893, NGC 2244, NGC 2264, NGC 6611, Tr 14, Tr
15,Tr 16, Coll 228, Tr 37 and Be 86 have been studied. The difference in the
minimum and maximum values of E(B-V) of cluster members has been considered as
a measure of the presence of non-uniform gas and dust inside the clusters. Its
value ranges from 0.22 to 1.03 mag in clusters under study, which indicates
that non-uniform extinction is present in all the clusters. It has been noticed
for the first time in NGC 1502 and Tr 37. It is also found that the
differential colour excess in open clusters, which may be due to the presence
of gas and dust, decreases systematically with the age of clusters indicating
that matter is used either in star formation or blown away by hot stars or
both. There is no uniformity in the variation of E(B-V) with either position or
spectral class or luminosity.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, 4 tables; accepted for publication in MNRAS,
typos adde
The Variation of Integrated Star IMFs among Galaxies
The integrated galaxial initial mass function (IGIMF) is the relevant
distribution function containing the information on the distribution of stellar
remnants, the number of supernovae and the chemical enrichment history of a
galaxy. Since most stars form in embedded star clusters with different masses
the IGIMF becomes an integral of the assumed (universal or invariant) stellar
IMF over the embedded star-cluster mass function (ECMF). For a range of
reasonable assumptions about the IMF and the ECMF we find the IGIMF to be
steeper (containing fewer massive stars per star) than the stellar IMF, but
below a few Msol it is invariant and identical to the stellar IMF for all
galaxies. However, the steepening sensitively depends on the form of the ECMF
in the low-mass regime. Furthermore, observations indicate a relation between
the star formation rate of a galaxy and the most massive young stellar cluster
in it. The assumption that this cluster mass marks the upper end of a
young-cluster mass function leads to a connection of the star formation rate
and the slope of the IGIMF above a few Msol. The IGIMF varies with the star
formation history of a galaxy. Notably, large variations of the IGIMF are
evident for dE, dIrr and LSB galaxies with a small to modest stellar mass. We
find that for any galaxy the number of supernovae per star (NSNS) is suppressed
relative to that expected for a Salpeter IMF. Dwarf galaxies have a smaller
NSNS compared to massive galaxies. For dwarf galaxies the NSNS varies
substantially depending on the galaxy assembly history and the assumptions made
about the low-mass end of the ECMF. The findings presented here may be of some
consequence for the cosmological evolution of the number of supernovae per
low-mass star and the chemical enrichment of galaxies of different mass.Comment: 27 pages, accepted for publication by Ap
A deep UVBRI CCD photometric study of open clusters Tr 1 and Be 11
We present deep CCD photometry for the young open star clusters Tr 1
and Be 11. The CCD data for Be 11 is obtained for the first time. The sample
consists of 1500 stars reaching down to 21 mag. Analysis of
the radial distribution of stellar surface density indicates that radius values
for Tr 1 and Be 11 are 2.3 and 1.5 pc respectively. The interstellar extinction
across the face of the imaged clusters region seems to be non-uniform with a
mean value of = 0.600.05 and 0.950.05 mag for Tr 1 and Be 11
respectively. A random positional variation of is present in both the
clusters. In the cluster Be 11, the reason of random positional variation may
be apparent association of the HII region (S 213). The 2MASS data in
combination with the optical data in the cluster Be 11 yields =
0.400.20 mag and = 2.200.20 mag. Colour excess diagrams
indicate a normal interstellar extinction law in the direction of cluster Be
11. The distances of Tr 1 and Be 11 are estimated as 2.60.10 and
2.20.10 Kpc respectively, while the theoretical stellar evolutionary
isochrones fitted to the bright cluster members indicate that the cluster Tr 1
and Be 11 are 4010 and 11010 Myr old. The mass functions corrected
for both field star contamination and data incompleteness are derived for both
the clusters. The slopes and for Tr 1 and Be 11
respectively are in agreement with the Salpeter's value. Observed mass
segregations in both clusters may be due to the result of dynamical evolutions
or imprint of star formation processes or both.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA
The Near Infrared and Multiwavelength Afterglow of GRB 000301c
We present near-infrared observations of the counterpart of GRB 000301c. The
K' filter (2.1 micron) light curve shows a well-sampled break in the decay
slope at t=3.5 days post-burst. The early time slope is very shallow (~ -0.1),
while the late time slope is steep (-2.2). Comparison with the optical (R band)
light curve shows marginally significant differences, especially in the early
time decay slope (which is steeper in the optical) and the break time (which
occurs later in the optical). This is contrary to the general expectation that
light curve breaks should either be achromatic (e.g., for breaks due to
collimation effects) or should occur later at longer wavelengths (for most
other breaks). The observed color variations might be intrinsic to the
afterglow, or might indicate systematic errors of > 0.08 magnitude in all
fluxes. Even if the break is achromatic, we argue that its sharpness poses
difficulties for explanations that depend on collimated ejecta. The R light
curve shows further signs of fairly rapid variability (a bump, steep drop, and
plateau) that are not apparent in the K' light curve. In addition, by combining
the IR-optical-UV data with millimeter and radio fluxes, we are able to
constrain the locations of the self-absorption break and cooling break and to
infer the location of the spectral peak at t=3 days: f_nu = 3.4 mJy at nu=1e12
Hz. Using the multiwavelength spectral energy distribution, we are able to
constrain the blast wave energy, which was E > 3e53 erg if the explosion was
isotropic. This implies a maximum gamma ray production efficiency of ~ 0.15 for
GRB 000301C.Comment: Accepted to The Astrophysical Journal. 24 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables;
uses AASTeX 5 macros. This version includes a new figure (R-K' color vs.
time), a better sampled R band light curve, and more extensive discussion of
the optical data and error analysi
BVRI CCD photometric standards in the field of GRB 990123
The CCD magnitudes in Johnson and Cousins photometric passbands are
determined for 18 stars in the field of GRB 990123. These measurements can be
used in carrying out precise CCD photometry of the optical transient of GRB
990123 using differential photometric techniques during non--photometric sky
conditions. A comparison with previous photometry indicates that the present
photmetry is more precise.Comment: Tex file, 5 pages with 1 figure. Bull. Astron. Society India, Vol. 27
(accepted
Energy Injection in GRB Afterglow Models
We extend the standard fireball model, widely used to interpret gamma-ray
burst (GRB) afterglow light curves, to include energy injections, and apply the
model to the afterglow light curves of GRB 990510, GRB 000301C and GRB 010222.
We show that discrete energy injections can cause temporal variations in the
optical light curves and present fits to the light curves of GRB 000301C as an
example. A continuous injection may be required to interpret other bursts such
as GRB 010222. The extended model accounts reasonably well for the observations
in all bands ranging from X-rays to radio wavelengths. In some cases, the radio
light curves indicate that additional model ingredients may be needed.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa
Optical Observations and Multiband Modelling of the Afterglow of GRB 041006: Evidence of A Hard Electron Energy Spectrum
We present the CCD Cousins R band photometric observations of the afterglow
of GRB 041006. The multiband afterglow evolution is modelled using an
underlying `hard' electron energy spectrum with a . The burst
appears to be of very low energy ( ergs) confined to a narrow
cone of opening angle . The associated supernova is
compared with SN1998bw and is found to be brighter.Comment: Accepted for publication in Bull. Astr. Soc. India (BASI
- …