Infrared/optical - X-ray simultaneous observations of X-ray flares in GRB 071112C and GRB 080506

T. Uehara*, M. Uemura, K. S. Kawabata, Y. Fukazawa, R. Yamazaki, A. Arai, M. Sasada, T. Ohsugi, T. Mizuno, H. Takahashi, H. Katagiri, T. Yamashita, M. Ohno, G. Sato, S. Sato, M. Kino

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims. We investigate the origin of short X-ray flares which are occasionally observed in early stages of afterglows of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Methods. We observed two Swift events, GRB 071112C and GRB 080506, before the start of X-ray flares in the optical and near-infrared (NIR) bands with the 1.5-m Kanata telescope. In conjunction with published X-ray and optical data, we analyzed densely sampled light curves of the early afterglows and spectral energy distributions (SEDs) in the NIR-X-ray ranges. Results. We found that the SEDs had a break between the optical and X-ray bands in the normal decay phases of both GRBs regardless of the model for the correction of the interstellar extinction in host galaxies of GRBs. In the X-ray flares, X-ray flux increased by 3 and 15 times in the case of GRB 071112C and 080506, respectively, and the X-ray spectra became harder than those in the normal decay phases. No significant variation in the optical-NIR range was detected together with the X-ray flares. Conclusions. These results suggest that the X-ray flares were associated with either late internal shocks or external shocks from two-component jets.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberA56
JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics
Volume519
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010 Sept 14

Keywords

  • gamma-ray burst: individual: GRB 071112C
  • gamma-ray burst: individual: GRB 080506

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Infrared/optical - X-ray simultaneous observations of X-ray flares in GRB 071112C and GRB 080506'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this