Bright X-ray Flares in Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglows
D. N. BurrowsCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAP. RomanoCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAA. FalconeCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAS. KobayashiCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USABing ZhangCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAA. MorettiCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAP. T. O’BrienCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAM. R. GoadCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAS. CampanaCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAK. L. PageCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAL. AngeliniCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAA. P. BeardmoreCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAM. CapalbiCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAG. ChincariniCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAJ. R. CummingsCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAG. CusumanoCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAD. B. FoxCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAP. GiommiCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAJ. E. HillCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAJ. A. KenneaCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAH. A. KrimmCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAV. ManganoCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAF. E. MarshallCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAP. MészárosCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USADavid C. MorrisCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAJ. A. NousekCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAJ. P. OsborneCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAC. PaganiCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAM. PerriCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAG. TagliaferriCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAA. A. WellsCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAS. E. WoosleyCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAN. GehrelsCenter for Gravitational Wave Physics, 104 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
2005en
ABI
Abstract
Gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows have provided important clues to the nature of these massive explosive events, providing direct information on the nearby environment and indirect information on the central engine that powers the burst. We report the discovery of two bright x-ray flares in GRB afterglows, including a giant flare comparable in total energy to the burst itself, each peaking minutes after the burst. These strong, rapid x-ray flares imply that the central engines of the bursts have long periods of activity, with strong internal shocks continuing for hundreds of seconds after the gamma-ray emission has ended.
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Cited by 40 references