Polarization in GRB 990510

The object of study is the remnant of a mysterious cosmic explosion far out in space, first detected as a gigantic outburst of gamma rays on May 10. Gamma-Ray Bursters (GRBs) are brief flashes of very energetic radiation — they represent by far the most powerful type of explosion known in the Universe and their afterglow in optical light can be 10 million times brighter than the brightest supernovae. The May 10 event ranks among the brightest one hundred of the over 2500 GRBs detected in the last decade. It is a preliminary polarization measurement of the optical image of the afterglow of GRB 990510, as observed with the VLT 8.2-m ANTU telescope and the multi-mode FORS1 instrument. The abscissa represents the measurement angle; the ordinate the corresponding intensity. The sinusoidal curve shows the best fit to the data points (with error bars); the resulting degree of polarization is 1.7 ± 0.2 percent.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso9926e
Type:Chart
Release date:18 May 1999
Related releases:eso9926
Size:800 x 718 px

About the Object

Name:GRB 990510
Type:Early Universe : Cosmology : Phenomenon : Gamma Ray Burst
Distance:z=1.619 (redshift)
Category:Stars

Image Formats

Large JPEG
87.8 KB
Screensize JPEG
93.5 KB

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Very Large Telescope
FORS1