Gamma-ray bursts in the Swift era

Abstract

Gamma-ray burst (GRB) research has undergone a revolution in the last two years. The launch of Swift, with its rapid slewing capability, has greatly increased the number and quality of GRB localizations and x-ray and optical afterglow lightcurves. Over 160 GRBs have been detected, and nearly all have been followed up with the on-board narrow field telescopes. Advances in our understanding of short GRBs have been spectacular. The detection of x-ray afterglows has led to accurate localizations from ground based observatories, which have given host identifications and redshifts. Theoretical models for short GRB progenitors have, for the first time, been placed on a sound foundation. The hosts for the short GRBs differ in a fundamental way from the long GRB hosts: short GRBs tend to occur in non-star forming galaxies or regions, whereas long GRBs are strongly concentrated within star forming regions. Observations are consistent with a binary neutron star merger model, but other models involving old stellar populations are also viable. Swift has greatly increased the redshift range of GRB detection. The highest redshift GRBs, at z∼5–6, are approaching the era of reionization. Ground-based deep optical spectroscopy of high redshift bursts is giving metallicity measurements and other information on the source environment to much greater distance than other techniques. The localization of GRB 060218 to a nearby galaxy, and association with SN 2006aj, added a valuable member to the class of GRBs with a detected supernova. The prospects for future progress are excellent given the >10 year orbital lifetime of the Swift satellite.