Ten per cent polarized optical emission from GRB 090102

I. A. Steele (), C. G. Mundell, R. J. Smith, S. Kobayashi and C. Guidorzi
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I. A. Steele: Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University
C. G. Mundell: Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University
R. J. Smith: Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University
S. Kobayashi: Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University
C. Guidorzi: University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara, Italy

Nature, 2009, vol. 462, issue 7274, 767-769

Abstract: A magnetic push for GRBs The nature of γ-ray bursts, the most energetic explosions known in the Universe, is the subject of much debate. One point of controversy is the extent to which magnetic fields — rather than pressure forces generated by baryonic matter — are involved in accelerating the jets of material emitted at relativistic velocities from the expanding fireball. It is difficult to observe magnetic fields at such a distance, but polarization in the early optical emissions from a γ-ray burst would indicate involvement of magnetic forces. Now observations of early emissions from GRB 090102, detected by the Swift satellite on 2 January 2009, reveal extensive polarization, around 10%, indicative of the presence of large-scale magnetic fields.

Date: 2009
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DOI: 10.1038/nature08590

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