Is there a significant fraction of GRBs located in dusty environs?

Páll Jakobsson, Johan P.U. Fynbo

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We discuss to what extent the current sample of Swift bursts with OA spectroscopy is a biased subsample of all Swift detected GRBs. For that purpose we define an X-ray selected statistical sample of Swift bursts with optimal conditions for ground-based follow up from the period March 2005 to September 2008; 146 bursts fulfill our sample criteria. We derive the redshift distribution for the statistical sample and conclude that less than 18% of Swift bursts can be at z > 7. Finally, by splitting the sample into three subsamples we conclude that the sample of GRBs with OA spectroscopy is not representative for all Swift bursts, most likely due to a bias against the most dusty sight-lines. This should be taken into account when determining, e.g., the redshift or metallicity distribution of GRBs and when using GRBs as a probe of star formation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDeciphering the Ancient Universe with Gamma-Ray Bursts
Pages167-170
Number of pages4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010
EventInternational Symposium "Deciphering the Ancient Universe with Gamma-Ray Bursts" - Kyoto, Japan
Duration: 19 Apr 201023 Apr 2010

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1279

Conference

ConferenceInternational Symposium "Deciphering the Ancient Universe with Gamma-Ray Bursts"
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityKyoto
Period19/04/1023/04/10

Other keywords

  • Dust
  • Extinction
  • Galaxies: distances and redshifts
  • Gamma rays: bursts

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