The implications of direct redshift measurement of gamma-ray bursts

Ehud Cohen*, Tsvi Piran

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

The recent discoveries of X-ray and optical counterparts for γ-ray bursts (GRBs), and the possible discovery of a host galaxy, imply that direct measurement of the redshift of some GRB host galaxies is imminent. We discuss the implications of such measurements. These measurements could enable us to determine the GRB luminosity distribution and the variation of the rate of GRBs with cosmic time and even, under favorable circumstances, to estimate Ω. Using GRB 970508 alone, assuming standard candles, and assuming the GRB source to be at the redshift of the absorption line observed in the optical transient spectrum, we constrain the intrinsic GRB evolution to p(z) = (1 + z)-0.5±0.7.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)L7-L10
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume488
Issue number1 PART II
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

Keywords

  • Cosmology: observations
  • Gamma rays: bursts

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