The Spectroscopic Variability of GRB 021004
/ Authors
T. Matheson, P. Garnavich, C. Foltz, S. West, G. Williams, E. Falco, M. Calkins, F. Castander, E. Gawiser, S. Jha
and 2 more authors
/ Abstract
We present spectra of the optical transient (OT) associated with GRB 021004. The spectra show a blue continuum with superposed absorption features and one emission line. We confirm two intervening metal-line systems at z = 1.380 and z = 1.602 and one very strong absorption system at a redshift of z = 2.323. Lyα emission is also seen at this redshift. While the spectrum of the OT overall cannot be simply described with a power law, the spectral index over the range 5500-8850 Å is steep, Fν ∝ ν-0.96±0.03. Comparison of spectra from multiple epochs shows a distinct color evolution with the OT becoming redder with time over the first 3 days. This is the first clear example of color change in an OT detected spectroscopically.
Journal: The Astrophysical Journal Letters
DOI: 10.1086/367601