The Highly Energetic Expansion of SN2010bh Associated with GRB 100316D

We present the spectroscopic and photometric evolution of the nearby (z = 0.059) spectroscopically confirmed type Ic supernova, SN 2010bh, associated with the soft, long-duration gamma-ray burst (X-ray flash) GRB 100316D. Intensive follow-up observations of SN 2010bh were performed at the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) using the X-shooter and FORS2 instruments. Owing to the detailed temporal coverage and the extended wavelength range (3000--24800 A), we obtained an unprecedentedly rich spectral sequence among the hypernovae, making SN 2010bh one of the best studied representatives of this SN class. We find that SN 2010bh has a more rapid rise to maximum brightness (8.0 +/- 1.0 rest-frame days) and a fainter absolute peak luminosity (L_bol~3e42 erg/s) than previously observed SN events associated with GRBs. Our estimate of the ejected (56)Ni mass is 0.12 +/- 0.02 Msun. From the broad spectral features we measure expansion velocities up to 47,000 km/s, higher than those of SNe 1998bw (GRB 980425) and 2006aj (GRB 060218). Helium absorption lines He I lambda5876 and He I 1.083 microm, blueshifted by ~20,000--30,000 km/s and ~28,000--38,000 km/s, respectively, may be present in the optical spectra. However, the lack of coverage of the He I 2.058 microm line prevents us from confirming such identifications. The nebular spectrum, taken at ~186 days after the explosion, shows a broad but faint [O I] emission at 6340 A. The light-curve shape and photospheric expansion velocities of SN 2010bh suggest that we witnessed a highly energetic explosion with a small ejected mass (E_k ~ 1e52 erg and M_ej ~ 3 Msun). The observed properties of SN 2010bh further extend the heterogeneity of the class of GRB supernovae.Comment: 37 pages and 12 figures (one-column pre-print format), accepted for publication in Ap

Discordant optical and X-ray classification of AGN

Trabajo presentado al Spanish X-ray Astronomy, celebrado en Santander del 3 al 5 de junoio de 2015.To provide insight into the apparent mismatch between the optical and X-ray absorption properties observed in 10-30% of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), we have conducted a detailed study of two X-ray unabsorbed AGN with a type-2 optical spectroscopic classification. In addition to high quality X-ray spectroscopic observations, that we used to determine both the AGN luminosities and absorption, we have a VLT/XSHOOTER UV-to-near-IR high resolution spectrum for each object, that we used to determine the AGN intrinsic emission corrected for both contamination from the AGN hosts and extinction. Thanks to the high quality data available for these two intriguing sources, we unveil the origin of the mismatch. The most likely explanation is that both objects have an intrinsically high dust-to-gas ratio.Peer Reviewe

On the relation between X-ray absorption and optical extinction in AGN

Trabajo presentado al XII Scientific Meeting of the Spanish Astronomical Society (SEA), celebrado en Bilbao del 18 al 22 de julio de 2016.According to the Unified Model of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), an X-ray unabsorbed AGN should appear as unobscured in the optical (Type-1) and viceversa (Type-2). However, there is an important fraction (10-30%) of AGN whose optical and X-ray classifications do not match. To provide insight into the origin of such apparent discrepancies, we have conducted two analyses: 1) a detailed study of the UV-to-near-IR emission of two X-ray unabsorbed Type-2 AGN drawn from the Bright Ultra-Hard XMM-Newton Survey (BUXS); 2) a statistical analysis of the optical obscuration and X-ray absorption properties of 159 Type-1 AGN drawn from BUXS to determine the distribution of dust-to-gas ratios in AGN over a broad range of luminosities and redshifts. In our works we have also determined the impact of contamination from the AGN hosts in the optical classification of AGNs. Our studies are already provided very exciting results such as the detection of objects with extreme dust-to-gas ratios, between 300-10000 times below the Galactic dust-to-gas ratio.IO-P and FJC acknowledge financial support through grant AYA2015-64346-C2-1-P (MINECO/FEDER). Funding for the SDSS and SDSS-II has been provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Participating Institutions, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Japanese Monbukagakusho, the Max Planck Society, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The STARLIGHT project is supported by the Brazilian agencies CNPq, CAPES and FAPESP and by the France-Brazil CAPES/Cofecub program.Peer Reviewe

Comparison of the optical and X-ray obscuration in AGN

Resumen del trabajo presentado al XXIX XMM-Newton SSC consortium meeting, celebrado en Madrid (España) del 14 al 15 de marzo de 2016.To provide insight into the apparent mismatch between the optical and X-ray absorption properties observed in 10-30 % of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), we have conducted a detailed study of two X-ray unabsorbed AGN with a type-2 optical spectroscopic classification. In addition to high quality X-ray spectroscopic observations, that we used to determine both the AGN luminosities and absorption, we have a VLT/XSHOOTER UV-to-near-IR high resolution spectrum for each object, that we used to determine the AGN intrinsic emision corrected for both contamination from the AGN hosts and extinction. Thanks to the high quality data available for these two intriguing sources, we unveil the origin of the mismatch. The most likely explanation is that both objects have an intrinsically high dust-to-gas ratio. In addition, we are conducting an statistical analysis of the optical obscuration and X-ray absorption properties of 159 Type-1 AGN drawn from BUXS to determine the distribution of dust-to-gas ratios in AGN over a broad range of luminosities and redshifts.Peer Reviewe

The luminous host galaxy, faint supernova and rapid afterglow rebrightening of GRB 100418A

International audienceContext. Long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) give us the chance to study both their extreme physics and the star-forming galaxies in which they form. Aims: GRB 100418A, at a redshift of z = 0.6239, had a bright optical and radio afterglow, and a luminous star-forming host galaxy. This allowed us to study the radiation of the explosion as well as the interstellar medium of the host both in absorption and emission. Methods: We collected photometric data from radio to X-ray wavelengths to study the evolution of the afterglow and the contribution of a possible supernova (SN) and three X-shooter spectra obtained during the first 60 h. Results: The light curve shows a very fast optical rebrightening, with an amplitude of ˜3 magnitudes, starting 2.4 h after the GRB onset. This cannot be explained by a standard external shock model and requires other contributions, such as late central-engine activity. Two weeks after the burst we detect an excess in the light curve consistent with a SN with peak absolute magnitude MV = -18.5 mag, among the faintest GRB-SNe detected to date. The host galaxy shows two components in emission, with velocities differing by 130 km s-1, but otherwise having similar properties. While some absorption and emission components coincide, the absorbing gas spans much higher velocities, indicating the presence of gas beyond the star-forming regions. The host has a star formation rate of SFR = 12.2 M&sun; yr-1, a metallicity of 12 log(O/H) = 8.55, and a mass of 1.6 × 109 M&sun;. Conclusions: GRB 100418A is a member of a class of afterglow light curves which show a steep rebrightening in the optical during the first day, which cannot be explained by traditional models. Its very faint associated SN shows that GRB-SNe can have a larger dispersion in luminosities than previously seen. Furthermore, we have obtained a complete view of the host of GRB 100418A owing to its spectrum, which contains a remarkable number of both emission and absorption lines