A collaborative team from the Purple Mountain Observatory, under the aegis of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics has innovated a novel approach for gauging ultraviolet sources. Utilizing the Swift/UVOT satellite, they have pinpointed GRB 220101A as the most intense ultraviolet/optical flare ever documented. This groundbreaking revelation not only introduces a unique astrophysical phenomenon but also calls into question pre-existing theories regarding ultraviolet/optical flares. The research was published in the esteemed journal, Nature Astronomy.
Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), characterized as the universe’s most cataclysmic explosions, principally emit soft gamma-ray radiation for a limited duration, ranging from milliseconds to a maximum of several hours. This immediate emission is succeeded by afterglow in X-ray, optical, and radio wavelengths, enduring from weeks to potentially years.
The earlier universal record for ultraviolet/optical luminosity was held by GRB 080319B, with an optical emission so intense that it was visible to the unaided eye from a darkened location. Its optical flare radiation mirrored its gamma-ray activity, illuminating insights into its core mechanism. However, the recently observed GRB 220101A has eclipsed this prior record.
The Swift satellite captured this new burst, GRB 220101A, on the first day of the year 2022. Its redshift was ascertained to be 4.618, resulting in the observed optical photons falling into the ultraviolet spectrum and undergoing substantial absorption. Consequently, the inherent radiation flux was elevated by a factor of approximately 100 compared to the observed metric. A rapid 150-second observational sweep was executed by Swift/UVOT in event mode within 79 seconds of detecting the burst.
Subsequent high-temporal-resolution photometric analysis unveiled a swift fluctuation in flux, notably with moderate saturation of the UVOT telescope at its peak. “We have formulated a new analytical technique for UVOT data that relies on the telescope’s point spread function and have confirmed its accuracy in generating reliable flux readings,” stated Prof. FAN Yizhong of Purple Mountain Observatory, the study’s corresponding author. Post-adjustment for distance and absorption factors, the ultraviolet/optical emission from GRB 220101A achieved an absolute magnitude of -39.4, marking it as the solitary source brighter than an absolute magnitude of -39 to date.
Prof. FAN further noted, “This constitutes the inaugural detection of an exceedingly powerful ultraviolet/optical flare via a space-borne telescope.”
With a luminosity approximately 400 quadrillion times greater than the Sun, GRB 220101A not only shatters the 14-year-standing record held by GRB 080319B, but it also introduces a heretofore-unknown astrophysical process, thereby enlarging our understanding of the diverse origins of intensely luminous optical-ultraviolet bursts.
It is anticipated that the China–France Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) satellite, slated for launch in early 2024, will have the capability to detect these extraordinarily energetic ultraviolet/optical flares at even higher redshifts.
Reference: “An optical–ultraviolet flare with absolute AB magnitude of −39.4 detected in GRB 220101A” by Zhi-Ping Jin, Hao Zhou, Yun Wang, Jin-Jun Geng, Stefano Covino, Xue-Feng Wu, Xiang Li, Yi-Zhong Fan, Da-Ming Wei, and Jian-Yan Wei, published on 26 June 2023 in Nature Astronomy.
DOI: 10.1038/s41550-023-02005-w
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ultraviolet/Optical Flare Discovery
What groundbreaking discovery was made by the scientists from the Purple Mountain Observatory and the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics?
The scientists have discovered the most intense ultraviolet/optical flare ever recorded, known as GRB 220101A. This finding has been documented using a novel method to measure ultraviolet sources, deployed on the Swift/UVOT satellite.
What implications does this discovery have on the field of astrophysics?
The discovery introduces a unique astrophysical process and challenges existing theories and understandings concerning ultraviolet/optical bursts. It represents a major advancement in our understanding of the diverse origins of intensely luminous optical-ultraviolet bursts.
What technology was used for this study?
The research team utilized the Ultra-Violet Optical Telescope onboard the Swift satellite (Swift/UVOT) for this groundbreaking discovery. They also introduced a new analytical technique based on the telescope’s point spread function to measure the flux reliably.
Who holds the previous record for ultraviolet/optical flare luminosity, and how did GRB 220101A surpass it?
The previous record was held by GRB 080319B, which was observable even to the naked eye in a dark location. GRB 220101A surpassed this record, with its ultraviolet/optical emission reaching an absolute magnitude of -39.4, making it the only known source with such high luminosity to date.
What is the luminosity of GRB 220101A compared to the Sun?
GRB 220101A has a luminosity approximately 400 quadrillion times greater than that of the Sun.
When and where were the findings of this discovery published?
The findings were published in the esteemed journal Nature Astronomy on 26 June 2023. The corresponding author of the study is Prof. FAN Yizhong from the Purple Mountain Observatory.
What are the future prospects for detecting such ultraviolet/optical flares?
The China–France Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) satellite, scheduled for launch in early 2024, is anticipated to be capable of detecting these extraordinarily energetic ultraviolet/optical flares at even higher redshifts.
More about Ultraviolet/Optical Flare Discovery
- Nature Astronomy Journal
- Purple Mountain Observatory
- Italian National Institute for Astrophysics
- Swift Satellite Mission Overview
- Gamma-ray Bursts Explained
- China–France Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM)
- DOI for the Published Study
