English

Gamma Ray Burst Beaming Constraints from Afterglow Light Curves: GRB 970508

Astrophysics 2009-10-31 v1

Abstract

The beaming angle (zeta) is the main uncertainty in gamma ray burst energy requirements today. We summarize predictions for the light curves of beamed bursts, and model the R band light curve of GRB 970508 to derive zeta > 30 degrees. This yields an irreducible minimum energy requirement of 3.4 times 10^{49} ergs to power the afterglow alone.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.astro-ph/9903400,
  title  = {Gamma Ray Burst Beaming Constraints from Afterglow Light Curves: GRB 970508},
  author = {James E. Rhoads},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/9903400},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

2 pages, one embedded postscript figure. To appear in Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement series (Rome conference proceedings issue). Uses "aa" documentclass