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HETE observations of the gamma-ray burst GRB 030329: Evidence for an underlying soft X-ray component

  • R. Vanderspek
  • , T. Sakamoto
  • , C. Barraud
  • , T. Tamagawa
  • , C. Graziani
  • , M. Suzuki
  • , Y. Shirasaki
  • , G. Prigozhin
  • , J. Villasenor
  • , J. G. Jernigan
  • , G. B. Crew
  • , J. L. Atteia
  • , K. Hurley
  • , N. Kawai
  • , D. Q. Lamb
  • , G. R. Ricker
  • , S. E. Woosley
  • , N. Butler
  • , J. P. Doty
  • , A. Dullighan
  • T. Q. Donaghy, E. E. Fenimore, M. Galassi, M. Matsuoka, K. Takagishi, K. Torii, A. Yoshida, M. Boer, J. P. Dezalay, J. F. Olive, J. Braga, R. Manchanda, G. Pizzichini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

An exceptionally intense gamma-ray burst, GRB 030329, was detected and localized by the instruments on board the High Energy Transient Explorer satellite (HETE) at 11:37:14 UT on 2003 March 29. The burst consisted of two ∼10 s pulses of roughly equal brightness and an X-ray tail lasting more than 100 s. The energy fluence in the 30-400 keV energy band was Sγ = 1.2 × 10-4 ergs cm-2, making GRB 030329 one of the brightest GRBs ever detected. Communication of a 2́ error box 73 minutes after the burst allowed the rapid detection of a counterpart in the optical, X-ray, and radio and the ensuing discovery of a supernova with most unusual characteristics. Analyses of the burst light curves reveal the presence of a distinct, bright, soft X-ray component underlying the main GRB; the 2-10 keV fluence of this component is ∼7×10-6 ergs cm-2. The main pulses of GRB 030329 were preceded by two soft, faint, nonthermal bumps. We present details of the HETE observations of GRB 030329.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1251-1257
Number of pages7
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume617
Issue number2 I
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 20 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Gamma rays: bursts
  • X-rays: individual (GRB 030329)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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