GRB 011211
Encyclopedia
GRB 011211 was a gamma-ray burst (GRB) detected on December 11, 2001. A gamma-ray burst is a highly luminous
flash associated with an explosion in a distant galaxy and producing gamma ray
s, the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation
, and often followed by a longer-lived "afterglow" emitted at longer wavelengths (X-ray
, ultraviolet
, optical, infrared
, and radio
).
satellite BeppoSAX
on 11 December 2001 at 19:09 UTC. The burst lasted 270 seconds, making it the longest burst that had ever been detected by BeppoSAX up to that point. A spectrum
recorded by the Yepun telescope indicated a redshift
of z = 2.14.
conducted an analysis of the burst's X-ray afterglow with the XMM-Newton
observatory. They found evidence for emission lines of magnesium, silicon, sulphur, and various other chemical element
s. This was the first detection of these elements in the spectrum of a GRB. These observations provided strong evidence for a relation between gamma-ray bursts and supernova
. However, other astronomers pointed out flaws in the methodology of the Leicester research team, such as the data reduction
methods, the low statistical significance
of the emission lines, and the low spectral resolution
of the instrument used. Despite a follow-up paper from the Leicester team to address these concerns, the findings remained controversial, and GRB 020813
was given the distinction of being the first burst with direct evidence of a supernova relation.
between 14 and 59 days after the burst's detection revealed a blue galaxy with an apparent magnitude
of 24.95 ± 0.11. Like several other gamma-ray burst hosts, Lyman alpha emission was detected from this galaxy, supporting the theory that the progenitors of gamma-ray burst tend to be metal-poor.
Luminosity
Luminosity is a measurement of brightness.-In photometry and color imaging:In photometry, luminosity is sometimes incorrectly used to refer to luminance, which is the density of luminous intensity in a given direction. The SI unit for luminance is candela per square metre.The luminosity function...
flash associated with an explosion in a distant galaxy and producing gamma ray
Gamma ray
Gamma radiation, also known as gamma rays or hyphenated as gamma-rays and denoted as γ, is electromagnetic radiation of high frequency . Gamma rays are usually naturally produced on Earth by decay of high energy states in atomic nuclei...
s, the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that exhibits wave-like behavior as it travels through space...
, and often followed by a longer-lived "afterglow" emitted at longer wavelengths (X-ray
X-ray
X-radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation. X-rays have a wavelength in the range of 0.01 to 10 nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz and energies in the range 120 eV to 120 keV. They are shorter in wavelength than UV rays and longer than gamma...
, ultraviolet
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays, in the range 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV...
, optical, infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
, and radio
Radio waves
Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum longer than infrared light. Radio waves have frequencies from 300 GHz to as low as 3 kHz, and corresponding wavelengths from 1 millimeter to 100 kilometers. Like all other electromagnetic waves,...
).
Observations
GRB 011211 was detected by the Italian–Dutch X-ray astronomyX-ray astronomy
X-ray astronomy is an observational branch of astronomy which deals with the study of X-ray observation and detection from astronomical objects. X-radiation is absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, so instruments to detect X-rays must be taken to high altitude by balloons, sounding rockets, and...
satellite BeppoSAX
BeppoSAX
BeppoSAX was an Italian–Dutch satellite for X-ray astronomy which played a crucial role in resolving the origin of gamma-ray bursts , the most energetic events known in the universe...
on 11 December 2001 at 19:09 UTC. The burst lasted 270 seconds, making it the longest burst that had ever been detected by BeppoSAX up to that point. A spectrum
Spectrum
A spectrum is a condition that is not limited to a specific set of values but can vary infinitely within a continuum. The word saw its first scientific use within the field of optics to describe the rainbow of colors in visible light when separated using a prism; it has since been applied by...
recorded by the Yepun telescope indicated a redshift
Redshift
In physics , redshift happens when light seen coming from an object is proportionally increased in wavelength, or shifted to the red end of the spectrum...
of z = 2.14.
Supernova relation
A team of researchers at the University of LeicesterUniversity of Leicester
The University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....
conducted an analysis of the burst's X-ray afterglow with the XMM-Newton
XMM-Newton
The XMM-Newton is an orbiting X-ray observatory launched by ESA in December 1999 on a Ariane 5 rocket...
observatory. They found evidence for emission lines of magnesium, silicon, sulphur, and various other chemical element
Chemical element
A chemical element is a pure chemical substance consisting of one type of atom distinguished by its atomic number, which is the number of protons in its nucleus. Familiar examples of elements include carbon, oxygen, aluminum, iron, copper, gold, mercury, and lead.As of November 2011, 118 elements...
s. This was the first detection of these elements in the spectrum of a GRB. These observations provided strong evidence for a relation between gamma-ray bursts and supernova
Supernova
A supernova is a stellar explosion that is more energetic than a nova. It is pronounced with the plural supernovae or supernovas. Supernovae are extremely luminous and cause a burst of radiation that often briefly outshines an entire galaxy, before fading from view over several weeks or months...
. However, other astronomers pointed out flaws in the methodology of the Leicester research team, such as the data reduction
Data reduction
Data Reduction is the transformation of numerical or alphabetical digital information derived empirical or experimentally into a corrected, ordered, and simplified form....
methods, the low statistical significance
Statistical significance
In statistics, a result is called statistically significant if it is unlikely to have occurred by chance. The phrase test of significance was coined by Ronald Fisher....
of the emission lines, and the low spectral resolution
Spectral resolution
The spectral resolution of a spectrograph, or, more generally, of a frequency spectrum, is a measure of its ability to resolve features in the electromagnetic spectrum...
of the instrument used. Despite a follow-up paper from the Leicester team to address these concerns, the findings remained controversial, and GRB 020813
GRB 020813
GRB 020813 was a gamma-ray burst that was detected on 13 August 2002 at 02:44 UTC. A gamma-ray burst is a highly luminous flash associated with an explosion in a distant galaxy and producing gamma rays, the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation, and often followed by a longer-lived...
was given the distinction of being the first burst with direct evidence of a supernova relation.
Host galaxy
Optical, infrared, and X-ray observations taken by the Hubble Space TelescopeHubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope is a space telescope that was carried into orbit by a Space Shuttle in 1990 and remains in operation. A 2.4 meter aperture telescope in low Earth orbit, Hubble's four main instruments observe in the near ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared...
between 14 and 59 days after the burst's detection revealed a blue galaxy with an apparent magnitude
Apparent magnitude
The apparent magnitude of a celestial body is a measure of its brightness as seen by an observer on Earth, adjusted to the value it would have in the absence of the atmosphere...
of 24.95 ± 0.11. Like several other gamma-ray burst hosts, Lyman alpha emission was detected from this galaxy, supporting the theory that the progenitors of gamma-ray burst tend to be metal-poor.