TY - JOUR
T1 - Optical classification of gamma-ray bursts in the Swift era
AU - van der Horst, Alexander J
AU - Kouveliotou, Chryssa
AU - Gehrels, Neil
AU - Rol, Evert
AU - Wijers, Ralph A M J
AU - Cannizzo, John K
AU - Racusin, Judith Lea
AU - Burrows, David N
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - We propose a new method for the classification of optically dark gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), based on the X-ray and optical-to-X-ray spectral indices of GRB afterglows, and utilizing the spectral capabilities of Swift. This method depends less on model assumptions than previous methods, and can be used as a quick diagnostic tool to identify optically sub-luminous bursts. With this method we can also find GRBs that are extremely bright at optical wavelengths. We show that the previously suggested correlation between the optical darkness and the X-ray/gamma-ray brightness is merely an observational selection effect.
AB - We propose a new method for the classification of optically dark gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), based on the X-ray and optical-to-X-ray spectral indices of GRB afterglows, and utilizing the spectral capabilities of Swift. This method depends less on model assumptions than previous methods, and can be used as a quick diagnostic tool to identify optically sub-luminous bursts. With this method we can also find GRBs that are extremely bright at optical wavelengths. We show that the previously suggested correlation between the optical darkness and the X-ray/gamma-ray brightness is merely an observational selection effect.
UR - http://iopscience.iop.org/0004-637X/699/2/1087/pdf/0004-637X_699_2_1087.pdf
U2 - 10.1088/0004-637X/699/2/1087
DO - 10.1088/0004-637X/699/2/1087
M3 - Article
SN - 0004-637X
VL - 699
SP - 1087
EP - 1091
JO - The Astrophysical Journal
JF - The Astrophysical Journal
IS - 2
ER -