The Host Galaxy of GRB 060505: Host ISM Properties

TL;DR

This study analyzes the host galaxy environment of GRB 060505, revealing properties more aligned with short-duration GRBs and supporting a compact-object-merger origin.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed comparison of ISM properties of GRB 060505 with other GRB hosts, suggesting a merger progenitor based on environmental analysis.

Findings

ISM properties resemble short-duration GRB environments

No significant metallicity variation within host regions

Supports a compact-object-merger progenitor for GRB 060505

Abstract

We investigate the ISM environment of GRB 060505. Using optical emission-line diagnostic ratios, we compare the ISM properties of the GRB 060505 host region with the hosts of unambiguous long- and short-duration GRBs. We show that the metallicity, ionization state, and star formation rate of the GRB 060505 environment are more consistent with short-duration GRBs than with long-duration GRBs. We compare the metallicity and star formation rates of the GRB 060505 region with four other star-forming regions within the GRB 060505 host galaxy. We find no significant change in metallicity or star formation rate between the GRB 060505 region and the other four host regions. Our results are consistent with a compact-object-merger progenitor for GRB 060505.