Short gamma-ray bursts within 200 Mpc

S. Dichiara, E. Troja, B. O'Connor, F. E. Marshall, P. Beniamini, J. K. Cannizzo, A. Y. Lien, T. Sakamoto

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We present a systematic search for short-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) in the local Universe based on 14 yr of observations with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. We cross-correlate the GRB positions with the GLADE catalogue of nearby galaxies, and find no event at a distance ≲100 Mpc and four plausible candidates in the range 100 Mpc ≲ D ≲ 200 Mpc. Although affected by low statistics, this number is higher than the one expected for chance alignments to random galaxies, and possibly suggests a physical association between these bursts and nearby galaxies. By assuming a local origin, we use these events to constrain the range of properties for X-ray counterparts of neutron star mergers. Optical upper limits place tight constraints on the onset of a blue kilonova, and imply either low masses (≲ 10−3 M☉) of lanthanide-poor ejecta or unfavorable orientations (θobs ≳ 30 deg). Finally, we derive that the all-sky rate of detectable short GRBs within 200 Mpc is 1.3+1.7−0.8 yr−1 (68 per cent confidence interval), and discuss the implications for the GRB outflow structure. If these candidates are instead of cosmological origin, we set a upper limit of ≲2.0 yr−1 (90 per cent confidence interval) to the rate of nearby events detectable with operating gamma-ray observatories, such as Swift and Fermi.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5011-5022
Number of pages12
JournalMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Volume492
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Abundances
  • Gamma-ray bursts
  • Gravitational waves
  • Nuclear reactions
  • Nucleosynthesis
  • Stars: neutron

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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