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X-ray flare in XRF 050406: Evidence for prolonged engine activity

  • P. Romano
  • , A. Moretti
  • , P. L. Banat
  • , D. N. Burrows
  • , S. Campana
  • , G. Chincarini
  • , S. Covino
  • , D. Malesani
  • , G. Tagliaferri
  • , A. D. Falcone
  • , M. Capalbi
  • , G. Cusumano
  • , P. Giommi
  • , V. La Parola
  • , V. Mangano
  • , M. Perri
  • , C. Pagani

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We present observations of XRF 050406, an X-ray flash with a relatively low fluence (∼ 10-7 erg cm-2 in the 15-350 keV band), a soft spectrum (photon index Γγ = 2.65), no significant flux above ∼ 50 keV and a peak energy Ep < 15 keV. XRF 050406 is the first burst detected by Swift clearly showing a flare in its X-ray light curve. The flare peaks 210 s after the BAT trigger, presents a flux variation δF/F ∼ 6 in a timescale δt/tpeak ≪ 1 and a measured fluence of 1-15% of the prompt one. We argue that the producing mechanism is late internal shocks, which implies that the central engine is still active at 210 s, though with a reduced power with respect to the prompt emission. The X-ray light curve flattens to a more shallow slope with a decay index of ∼ 0.5 after ∼ 4400 s, also supporting continued central engine activity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGAMMA-RAY BURSTS IN THE SWIFT ERA
Subtitle of host publicationSixteenth Maryland Astrophysics Conference
Pages570-573
Number of pages4
DOIs
StatePublished - May 19 2006
EventGAMMA-RAY BURSTS IN THE SWIFT ERA: 16th Maryland Astrophysics Conference - Washington, D.C., United States
Duration: Nov 29 2005Dec 2 2005

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume836
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Other

OtherGAMMA-RAY BURSTS IN THE SWIFT ERA: 16th Maryland Astrophysics Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington, D.C.
Period11/29/0512/2/05

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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