Wen-fai Fong
The Astrophysical Institute (ApI) presents Wen-fai Fong of the University of Arizona “Unveiling the Progenitors of Short-duration Gamma-ray Bursts” on Wednesday, April 22, at at 4:10 p.m. in Edwards Accelerator Lab, Roger W. Finlay Conference Room.
Abstract: Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are relativistic explosions which originate at cosmological distances, and are among the most luminous transients in the universe. While long GRBs (duration > 2 sec) are linked to the catastrophic deaths of massive stars, the progenitors of short GRBs (duration < 2 sec) are less certain. Theoretical predictions formulated over the past two decades suggest that the progenitors are the mergers of two compact objects, involving either two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole. Yet, until recently, these theories lacked strong observational support. In this talk, I present radio through X-ray observations of short GRBs and their host galaxy environments to address the question of their progenitors. I show that the observational properties of short GRBs are remarkably well-matched to predictions for a compact object merger origin, thus providing the most comprehensive observational support for the progenitors to date. With the direct detection of gravitational waves from compact object mergers on the horizon, these studies provide necessary inputs to inform the next decade of joint electromagnetic-gravitational wave search strategies.
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