Event type |
Gamma-ray burst
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---|---|
Constellation |
Crater
![]() |
Right ascension | 168h 49m 4.8s |
Declination | −21° 55′ 44.4″ [1] |
Redshift | 2.14 ±0.01, 2.14
![]() |
Total energy output | 5×1052 ergs |
Other designations | GRB 011211 |
GRB 011211 was a gamma-ray burst (GRB) detected on December 11, 2001. A gamma-ray burst is a highly luminous flash associated with an explosion in a distant galaxy and producing gamma rays, the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation, and often followed by a longer-lived "afterglow" emitted at longer wavelengths ( X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, infrared, and radio).
GRB 011211 was detected by the Italian–Dutch X-ray astronomy satellite BeppoSAX on 11 December 2001 at 19:09 UTC. [2] The burst lasted 270 seconds, making it the longest burst that had ever been detected by BeppoSAX up to that point. [3] A spectrum recorded by the Yepun telescope indicated a redshift of z = 2.14. [4]
A team of researchers at the University of Leicester conducted an analysis of the burst's X-ray afterglow with the XMM-Newton observatory. They found evidence for emission lines of magnesium, silicon, sulphur, and various other chemical elements. This was the first detection of these elements in the spectrum of a GRB. [5] These observations provided strong evidence for a relation between gamma-ray bursts and supernova. [3] However, other astronomers pointed out flaws in the methodology of the Leicester research team, such as the data reduction methods, [6] the low statistical significance of the emission lines, [7] and the low spectral resolution of the instrument used. [8] Despite a follow-up paper from the Leicester team to address these concerns, [9] the findings remained controversial, and GRB 020813 was given the distinction of being the first burst with direct evidence of a supernova relation. [10] [11]
Optical, infrared, and X-ray observations taken by the Hubble Space Telescope between 14 and 59 days after the burst's detection revealed a blue galaxy with an apparent magnitude of 24.95 ± 0.11. [12] Like several other gamma-ray burst hosts, Lyman alpha emission was detected from this galaxy, supporting the theory that the progenitors of gamma-ray burst tend to be metal-poor. [13]
Event type |
Gamma-ray burst
![]() |
---|---|
Constellation |
Crater
![]() |
Right ascension | 168h 49m 4.8s |
Declination | −21° 55′ 44.4″ [1] |
Redshift | 2.14 ±0.01, 2.14
![]() |
Total energy output | 5×1052 ergs |
Other designations | GRB 011211 |
GRB 011211 was a gamma-ray burst (GRB) detected on December 11, 2001. A gamma-ray burst is a highly luminous flash associated with an explosion in a distant galaxy and producing gamma rays, the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation, and often followed by a longer-lived "afterglow" emitted at longer wavelengths ( X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, infrared, and radio).
GRB 011211 was detected by the Italian–Dutch X-ray astronomy satellite BeppoSAX on 11 December 2001 at 19:09 UTC. [2] The burst lasted 270 seconds, making it the longest burst that had ever been detected by BeppoSAX up to that point. [3] A spectrum recorded by the Yepun telescope indicated a redshift of z = 2.14. [4]
A team of researchers at the University of Leicester conducted an analysis of the burst's X-ray afterglow with the XMM-Newton observatory. They found evidence for emission lines of magnesium, silicon, sulphur, and various other chemical elements. This was the first detection of these elements in the spectrum of a GRB. [5] These observations provided strong evidence for a relation between gamma-ray bursts and supernova. [3] However, other astronomers pointed out flaws in the methodology of the Leicester research team, such as the data reduction methods, [6] the low statistical significance of the emission lines, [7] and the low spectral resolution of the instrument used. [8] Despite a follow-up paper from the Leicester team to address these concerns, [9] the findings remained controversial, and GRB 020813 was given the distinction of being the first burst with direct evidence of a supernova relation. [10] [11]
Optical, infrared, and X-ray observations taken by the Hubble Space Telescope between 14 and 59 days after the burst's detection revealed a blue galaxy with an apparent magnitude of 24.95 ± 0.11. [12] Like several other gamma-ray burst hosts, Lyman alpha emission was detected from this galaxy, supporting the theory that the progenitors of gamma-ray burst tend to be metal-poor. [13]