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1. Characterizing the Ordinary Broad-line Type Ic SN 2023pel from the Energetic GRB 230812B

   https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ad16e7  

   Srinivasaragavan, Gokul P.; Swain, Vishwajeet; O’Connor, Brendan; Anand, Shreya; Ahumada, Tomás; Perley, Daniel; Stein, Robert; Sollerman, Jesper; Fremling, Christoffer; Cenko, S. Bradley; et al (January 2024, The Astrophysical Journal Letters)

   Abstract We report observations of the optical counterpart of the long gamma-ray burst (GRB) GRB 230812B and its associated supernova (SN) SN 2023pel. The proximity (z= 0.36) and high energy (E_γ,iso∼ 10⁵³erg) make it an important event to study as a probe of the connection between massive star core collapse and relativistic jet formation. With a phenomenological power-law model for the optical afterglow, we find a late-time flattening consistent with the presence of an associated SN. SN 2023pel has an absolute peakr-band magnitude ofM_r= −19.46 ± 0.18 mag (about as bright as SN 1998bw) and evolves on quicker timescales. Using a radioactive heating model, we derive a nickel mass powering the SN ofM_Ni= 0.38 ± 0.01M_⊙and a peak bolometric luminosity ofL_bol∼ 1.3 × 10⁴³erg s⁻¹. We confirm SN 2023pel’s classification as a broad-line Type Ic SN with a spectrum taken 15.5 days after its peak in therband and derive a photospheric expansion velocity ofv_ph= 11,300 ± 1600 km s⁻¹at that phase. Extrapolating this velocity to the time of maximum light, we derive the ejecta massM_ej= 1.0 ± 0.6M_⊙and kinetic energy $E_{\mathrm{KE}}={1.3}_{-1.2}^{+3.3}\times {10}^{51}\mathrm{erg}$. We find that GRB 230812B/SN 2023pel has SN properties that are mostly consistent with the overall GRB-SN population. The lack of correlations found in the GRB-SN population between SN brightness andE_γ,isofor their associated GRBs across a broad range of 7 orders of magnitude provides further evidence that the central engine powering the relativistic ejecta is not coupled to the SN powering mechanism in GRB-SN systems. 

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2. Self-similarities and Power Laws in the Time-resolved Spectra of GRB 190114C, GRB 130427A, GRB 160509A, and GRB 160625B

   https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/acb20b  

   Li, Liang; Rueda, J. A.; Moradi, R.; Wang, Y.; Xue, S. S.; Ruffini, R. (March 2023, The Astrophysical Journal)

   Abstract Binary-driven hypernova (BdHN) models have been adopted to explain the observed properties of long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Here, we perform a comprehensive data analysis (temporal and spectral analysis, GeV emission, and afterglow) on GRB 130427A, GRB 160509A, and GRB 160625B. We identify three specific episodes characterized by different observational signatures and show that these episodes can be explained and predicted to occur within the framework of the BdHNe I model, as first observed in GRB 190114C and reported in an accompanying paper. Episode 1 includes the “SN-rise” with the characteristic cutoff power-law spectrum; Episode 2 is initiated by the moment of formation of the black hole, coincident with the onset of the GeV emission and the ultrarelativistic prompt emission phase, and is characterized by a cutoff power law and blackbody spectra; Episode 3 is the “cavity,” with its characteristic featureless spectrum. 

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3. GRB 210217A: a short or a long GRB?

   https://doi.org/10.1007/s12036-022-09822-x  

   Dimple; Misra, Kuntal; Ghosh, Ankur; Arun, K. G.; Gupta, Rahul; Kumar, Amit; Resmi, L.; Pandey, S. B.; Yadav, Lallan (December 2022, Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy)
4. GRB Polarization: A Unique Probe of GRB Physics

   https://doi.org/10.3390/galaxies9040082  

   Gill, Ramandeep; Kole, Merlin; Granot, Jonathan (December 2021, Galaxies)

   Over half a century from the discovery of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), the dominant radiation mechanism responsible for their bright and highly variable prompt emission remains poorly understood. Spectral information alone has proven insufficient for understanding the composition and main energy dissipation mechanism in GRB jets. High-sensitivity polarimetric observations from upcoming instruments in this decade may help answer such key questions in GRB physics. This article reviews the current status of prompt GRB polarization measurements and provides comprehensive predictions from theoretical models. A concise overview of the fundamental questions in prompt GRB physics is provided. Important developments in gamma-ray polarimetry including a critical overview of different past instruments are presented. Theoretical predictions for different radiation mechanisms and jet structures are confronted with time-integrated and time-resolved measurements. The current status and capabilities of upcoming instruments regarding the prompt emission are presented. The very complimentary information that can be obtained from polarimetry of X-ray flares as well as reverse-shock and early to late forward-shock (afterglow) emissions are highlighted. Finally, promising directions for overcoming the inherent difficulties in obtaining statistically significant prompt-GRB polarization measurements are discussed, along with prospects for improvements in the theoretical modeling, which may lead to significant advances in the field. 

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5. GRB 180720B: A GRB with Interesting Spectral Characteristics

   https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ac14b8  

   Chen, Jia-Ming; Peng, Zhao-Yang; Du, Tan-Tan; Yin, Yue; Wu, Hui (October 2021, The Astrophysical Journal)