Physics and Astrophysics of Gamma-Ray Bursts - Part 1

Delve into the fascinating world of gamma-ray bursts in this comprehensive lecture from the Gravitational Wave Astrophysics online program. Explore the discovery, historical context, and observational facts of these powerful cosmic events. Examine the characteristics of long and short gamma-ray bursts, their diverse lightcurves, non-thermal spectra, and associated emissions across various wavelengths. Investigate the breakthrough discovery of afterglows and their implications for understanding GRB distances. Analyze the basic constraints on GRB models, including relativistic motion and characteristic radii. Gain insights into the physics of initial events, central engines, and relativistic ejection in the standard GRB scenario. Conclude with a Q&A session to further deepen your understanding of these enigmatic astronomical phenomena.

Physics & Astrophysics of Gamma-Ray Bursts
Gamma-ray bursts: discovery
Gamma-ray bursts: historical remarks
Introduction: observational facts 1 prompt emission
What is a gamma-ray burst?
Long & short gamma-ray bursts
Lightcurves: diversity and variability
Non-thermal spectrum
The optical prompt emission
The Gev prompt emission
Location, location, location!
Gamma-ray bursts: historical remarks
GRB distance scale?
Long & short gamma-ray bursts
The discovery of afterglows: Gamma-ray bursts occur at cosmological distance!
Afterglows
Afterglows: lightcurves
Sorting out models...
Introduction: observational facts 2 afterglow
Spectrum: afterglow
Distance: redshift distribution
Gamma-ray bursts and cosmology
Introduction: observational facts 3 prompt+afterglow summary
Lightcurve: prompt to afterglow
Spectrum: prompt
Introduction: Basic Constraints on any GRB Model
GRB Physics: basic constraints
Relativistic motion: direct evidence
GRB Physics: standard scenario characteristic radii
GRB Physics: initial event & central engine
GRB Physics: relativistic ejection
Q&A