(2009) GRB 080913 at redshift 6.7. Astrophysical Journal, Vol.693 (No.2). pp. 1610-1620. ISSN 0004-637X

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Abstract

We report on the detection by Swift of GRB 080913, and subsequent optical/near-infrared follow-up observations by GROND, which led to the discovery of its optical/NIR afterglow and the recognition of its high-z nature via the detection of a spectral break between the i' and z' bands. Spectroscopy obtained at the ESO-VLT revealed a continuum extending down to lambda = 9400 angstrom, and zero flux for 7500 angstrom< lambda < 9400 angstrom, which we interpret as the onset of a Gunn-Peterson trough at z = 6.695 +/- 0.025 (95.5% confidence level), making GRB 080913 the highest-redshift gamma-ray burst (GRB) to date, and more distant than the highest-redshift QSO. We note that many redshift indicators that are based on promptly available burst or afterglow properties have failed for GRB 080913. We report on our follow-up campaign and compare the properties of GRB 080913 with bursts at lower redshift. In particular, since the afterglow of this burst is fainter than typical for GRBs, we show that 2 m class telescopes can identify most high-redshift GRBs.

Item Type:	Journal Item
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Physics
Journal or Publication Title:	Astrophysical Journal
Publisher:	IOP Publishing
ISSN:	0004-637X
Date:	10 March 2009
Volume:	Vol.693
Number:	No.2
Number of Pages:	11
Page Range:	pp. 1610-1620
Identification Number:	10.1088/0004-637X/693/2/1610
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	XMM-Newton SOC, DFG, EU, Leibniz-Prize, European Southern Observatory, Chile
Grant number:	MEIF-CT-2006-041363, HA 1850/28-1, 081.A-0135, 081.A-0856, 081.A-0966
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/28355

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