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Multi-wavelength observations of gamma-ray bursts and instrument developement

Final Activity Report Summary - SMB-GRB-2005 (Multi-wavelength observations of gamma-ray bursts and instrument developement)

Gamma-ray bursts (GRB) are brief flashes of radiation coming from distant galaxies that are detected by satellites orbiting the earth. These flashes of gamma-rays can last as long as hundreds of seconds or be as short as a few milliseconds. There are two classes which are thought to be the caused by the collapse of massive stars or by the merger of compact objects. In both cases, the result of the GRB is thought to be the birth of a black hole. Research in the field of GRBs requires many tools. Observations are performed of the prompt emission, the fading of the explosion or the afterglow, the host galaxies where the burst occurred. These observations span a range of time since the initial flash and a range of wavelengths from the high energy gamma- and X-rays to the lower energy optical and near infrared region of the spectrum.

As part of the work completed during this Fellowship the properties of the prompt emission were investigated using the sensitive instruments on board Integral and Swift. The results from Integral indicate that the gamma-ray emission is polarised and one of the results from Swift indicates that a controversial burst is a member of the long duration class. Additionally multi-wavelength studies of the fading afterglow of short and long GRBs were investigated to determine the energetics and dust extinction in the afterglow environment. In addition, a new gamma-ray mission proposal GRIPS was submitted as part of a collaboration and preparations for a current gamma-ray mission GLAST were underway.

All research and training aspects of the submitted proposal were addressed in the two year framework of this Marie Curie fellowship and I am very grateful to the European Union for this opportunity.