Abstract
We report on the results of optical follow-up observations of the counterpart of the gamma-ray burst GRB 970508, starting 7 hr after the event. Multicolor U-, B-, V-, R-c-, and I-c-band observations were obtained during the first three consecutive nights. The counterpart was monitored regularly in R-c, until similar to 4 months after the burst. The light curve after the maximum follows a decline that can be fitted with a power law with exponent alpha = -1.141 +/- 0.014. Deviations from a smooth power-law decay are moderate (rms = 0.15 mag). We find no flattening of the light curve at late times. The optical afterglow fluence is a significant fraction, similar to 5%, of the GRB fluence. The optical energy distribution can be well represented by a power law, the slope of which changed at the time of the maximum (the spectrum became redder).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | L13 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
| Volume | 497 |
| Issue number | 1 PART II |
| Publication status | Published - 1998 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Space and Planetary Science
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Galama, T. J., Groot, P. J., Van Paradijs, J., Kouveliotou, C., Strom, R. G., Wijers, R. A. M. J., Tanvir, N., Bloom, J., Centurion, M., Telting, J., Rutten, R. G. M., Smith, P., Mackey, C., Smartt, S., Benn, C., Heise, J., & Zand, J. (1998). Optical follow-up of GRB 970508. Astrophysical Journal, 497(1 PART II), L13.