High-resolution simulations demonstrate that two-zone models for GRB early afterglows fail to match hydrodynamic evolution in the Newtonian reverse shock regime before Blandford-McKee self-similarity, causing systematic overpredictions of emission depending on the transition prescription.
GRB990123, The Optical Flash and The Fireball Model
2 Pith papers cite this work. Polarity classification is still indexing.
abstract
We compare the ongoing observations of the remarkable burst GRB990123, the mother of all bursts, with the predictions of the afterglow theory. We show that the observations agree with the recent prediction that a reverse shock propagating into the ejecta would produce a very strong prompt optical flash. This reverse shock has also produced the 8.46GHz radio signal, observed after one day. The forward shock, which propagates into the ISM is the origin of the classical afterglow. It has produced the prompt X-ray signal as well as the late optical and IR emission. It would most likely produce a radio emission within the next few weeks. The observations suggest that the initial Lorentz factor of the ejecta was $\sim 200$. Within factors of order unity, this crude model explains all current observations of GRB990123.
fields
astro-ph.HE 2years
2026 2verdicts
UNVERDICTED 2representative citing papers
A review of early optical GRB features including prompt emission, reverse shocks, and afterglow onset, highlighting robotic telescopes' role in constraining jet Lorentz factors and magnetization.
citing papers explorer
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Systematic Error in Approximate Models of the GRB Early Afterglow
High-resolution simulations demonstrate that two-zone models for GRB early afterglows fail to match hydrodynamic evolution in the Newtonian reverse shock regime before Blandford-McKee self-similarity, causing systematic overpredictions of emission depending on the transition prescription.
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Early Optical Follow-up of Gamma-Ray Bursts: The Critical Role of Robotic Telescopes
A review of early optical GRB features including prompt emission, reverse shocks, and afterglow onset, highlighting robotic telescopes' role in constraining jet Lorentz factors and magnetization.