Observations of X-ray counterparts to gamma-ray bursts in RXTE's All-Sky Monitor
Name
44967328-MIT.pdf
Description
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Format
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Checksum (MD5)
67529dc822c7ce1230e661bc53b56541
Author(s)
Smith, Donald Andrew, 1970-
Advisor(s)
Hale V.D. Bradt.
Alternative Title
Observations of X-ray counterparts to GRBs in Rossi's X-ray Timing Explorer ASM
Date Issued
1999
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
In this thesis, I report on a system I designed ad implemented to rapidly identify and localize new transient X-ray sources observed by the All-Sky Monitor (ASM) on the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (XTJS), I used this system to identify fourteen Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs). Eight of these events were found in archived ASM observations from the first 1.5 years of operation, but the rest were detected and reported within 2 - 32 hours of the event. In thirteen of the fourteen cases, I was able to provide error boxes with a reliable confidence level. I report here on the ASM instrument, the system to identify new X-ray sources, the ASM localization capability, the current state of the field of GRB studies, the thirteen GRB positions, and fourteen GRB light curves. I interpret these observations in the context of the Synchrotron Shock Model for GRB emission.
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Physics, 1999.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 179-191).
Subjects
Physics.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Physics
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