A Gamma Ray Burst Supernova Connection
Explanation:
New evidence has emerged that a mysterious type of
explosion known as a
gamma ray burst
is indeed connected to a supernova of the type visible in the
above image.
Two weeks ago, the orbiting
HETE satellite
detected gamma-ray burst
GRB030329.
The extremely bright burst was
found hours later
to have an extremely bright
afterglow in
visible light, and soon set the record for the
closest measured distance at
redshift 0.17.
The
afterglow
brightness allows
unprecedented coverage
of its evolution.
Just this week, as many astronomers suspected would happen,
the afterglow began to appear as a fading
Type II Supernova.
Type II Supernovas might not appear coincident with
gamma-ray bursts, however,
when the gamma-ray beam goes in another direction.
The above spiral galaxy,
NGC 3184, was home to a
Type II Supernova in 1999 at the position of the arrow.
Astronomers are currently pressing
hard to find the
host galaxy
for GRB030329.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
