A common origin for cosmic explosions inferred from calorimetry of GRB030329

E. Berger (), S. R. Kulkarni, G. Pooley, D. A. Frail, V. McIntyre, R. M. Wark, R. Sari, A. M. Soderberg, D. W. Fox, S. Yost and P. A. Price
Additional contact information
E. Berger: Caltech Optical Observatories 105-24, California Institute of Technology
S. R. Kulkarni: Caltech Optical Observatories 105-24, California Institute of Technology
G. Pooley: Cavendish Laboratory
D. A. Frail: National Radio Astronomy Observatory
V. McIntyre: Australia Telescope National Facility, CSIRO
R. M. Wark: Australia Telescope National Facility, CSRIO
R. Sari: Theoretical Astrophysics 130-33, California Institute of Technology
A. M. Soderberg: Caltech Optical Observatories 105-24, California Institute of Technology
D. W. Fox: Caltech Optical Observatories 105-24, California Institute of Technology
S. Yost: Space Radiation Laboratory 220-47, California Institute of Technology
P. A. Price: RSAA, ANU, Mt Stromlo Observatory, Weston Creek, Australian Capital Territory

Nature, 2003, vol. 426, issue 6963, 154-157

Abstract: Abstract Past studies1,2,3 have suggested that long-duration γ-ray bursts have a ‘standard’ energy of Eγ ≈ 1051 erg in the ultra-relativistic ejecta, after correcting for asymmetries in the explosion (‘jets’). But a group of sub-energetic bursts, including the peculiar GRB980425 associated4 with the supernova SN1998bw (Eγ ≈ 1048 erg), has recently been identified2,3. Here we report radio observations of GRB030329 that allow us to undertake calorimetry of the explosion. Our data require a two-component explosion: a narrow (5° opening angle) ultra-relativistic component responsible for the γ-rays and early afterglow, and a wide, mildly relativistic component that produces the radio and optical afterglow more than 1.5 days after the explosion. The total energy release, which is dominated by the wide component, is similar1,2,3,5 to that of other γ-ray bursts, but the contribution of the γ-rays is energetically minor. Given the firm link6,7 of GRB030329 with SN2003dh, our result indicates a common origin for cosmic explosions in which, for reasons not yet understood, the energy in the highest-velocity ejecta is extremely variable.

Date: 2003
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DOI: 10.1038/nature01998

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