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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Swift Observations of GRB 070110: An Extraordinary X-Ray Afterglow Powered by the Central Engine

G. ChincariniG. ChincariniEleonora TrojaEleonora TrojaEleonora TrojaSergio CampanaGianpiero TagliaferriV. La ParolaAlberto MorettiP. RomanoP. RomanoHans A. KrimmHans A. KrimmRichard WillingaleDavid N. BurrowsTeresa MineoFrank MarshallP. T. O'brienNeil GehrelsVanessa ManganoM. J. PagePatricia SchadyB. SbarufattiEn-wei LiangEn-wei LiangGaspare CusumanoC. GuidorziC. GuidorziJ. P. OsborneBin-bin ZhangBin-bin ZhangBing ZhangK. L. Page

subject

PhysicsSwiftAstrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical PhenomenaSpectral propertiesAstrophysics (astro-ph)X-rayPhase pointFOS: Physical sciencesGamma Rays: Bursts; X-rays: individual (GRB 070110)Astronomy and AstrophysicsAstrophysicsAstrophysicsLight curveAfterglowGamma Rays: BurstsSpace and Planetary ScienceMillisecond pulsarGamma-ray burstcomputerX-rays: individual (GRB 070110)computer.programming_language

description

We present a detailed analysis of Swift multi-wavelength observations of GRB 070110 and its remarkable afterglow. The early X-ray light curve, interpreted as the tail of the prompt emission, displays a spectral evolution already seen in other gamma-ray bursts. The optical afterglow shows a shallow decay up to ~2 d after the burst, which is not consistent with standard afterglow models. The most intriguing feature is a very steep decay in the X-ray flux at ~20 ks after the burst, ending an apparent plateau. The abrupt drop of the X-ray light curve rules out an external shock as the origin of the plateau in this burst and implies long-lasting activity of the central engine. The temporal and spectral properties of the plateau phase point towards a continuous central engine emission rather than the episodic emission of X-ray flares. We suggest that the observed X-ray plateau is powered by a spinning down central engine, possibly a millisecond pulsar, which dissipates energy at an internal radius before depositing energy into the external shock.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2007-02-07
10.1086/519450http://hdl.handle.net/11392/532016