Program: GN-2009A-Q-26

Title:Rapid observations of gamma-ray bursts
PI:Nial Tanvir
Co-I(s): Andrew Levan, Daniel Reichart, John Graham, Andrew Fruchter, David Bersier, Pall Jakobsson, Paul O'Brien, Evert Rol, James Rhoads, Jens Hjorth, Klaas Wiersema

Abstract

Rapid observations of gamma-ray bursts are critical to probing their exotic physics and using GRBs themselves as probes of the universe. Our collaboration has been extremely successful in using Gemini, in coordination with a network of other facilities, to advance this field, and we seek to continue this program. Our primary goals are (i) to locate and study GRBs at very high redshifts (z>5), where they will provide luminous backlights with which to explore the early ISM/IGM, and also the means to identify and characterise their faint host galaxies, (ii) to construct a more complete redshift sample of GRBs, (iii) to detect afterglows and measure redshifts for the class of short-duration bursts, whose nature, despite recent breakthroughs, remains enigmatic, (iv) in conjunction with data from the Fermi satellite, to test the standard jetted, relativistic fireball models. These goals address central questions of contemporary astrophysics and cosmology.

Publications using this program's data