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The unusual X-ray light curve of GRB 080307: The onset of the afterglow?

  • K. L. Page
  • , R. Willingale
  • , P. T. O'Brien
  • , N. R. Tanvir
  • , J. P. Osborne
  • , B. Zhang
  • , S. T. Holland
  • , A. J. Levan
  • , A. Melandri
  • , R. L.C. Starling
  • , D. Bersier
  • , D. N. Burrows
  • , J. E. Geach
  • , P. Maxted

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Swift-detected GRB 080307 showed an unusual smooth rise in its X-ray light curve around 100 s after the burst, at the start of which the emission briefly softened. This 'hump' has a longer duration than is normal for a flare at early times and does not demonstrate a typical flare profile. Using a two-component power-law-to-exponential model, the rising emission can be modelled as the onset of the afterglow, something which is very rarely seen in Swift-X-ray light curves. We cannot, however, rule out that the hump is a particularly slow early-time flare, or that it is caused by upscattered reverse shock electrons.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)328-334
Number of pages7
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume395
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2009

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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