Integrating the Fermi Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor into the 3rd Interplanetary Network

TL;DR

Integrating the Fermi GBM into the IPN enhances gamma-ray burst localization, improves source identification across wavelengths, and supports multi-messenger astrophysics, including neutrino and gravitational wave searches.

Contribution

This work is the first to incorporate the Fermi GBM into the IPN, significantly improving GRB localization and multi-messenger follow-up capabilities.

Findings

Error circle reductions by 1 to 4 orders of magnitude.

Enhanced ability to identify GRB sources across wavelengths.

Improved association of LAT high-energy photons with GBM bursts.

Abstract

We are integrating the Fermi Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor (GBM) into the Interplanetary Network (IPN) of Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) detectors. With the GBM, the IPN will comprise 9 experiments. This will 1) assist the Fermi team in understanding and reducing their systematic localization uncertainties, 2) reduce the sizes of the GBM and Large Area Telescope (LAT) error circles by 1 to 4 orders of magnitude, 3) facilitate the identification of GRB sources with objects found by ground- and space-based observatories at other wavelengths, from the radio to very high energy gamma-rays, 4) reduce the uncertainties in associating some LAT detections of high energy photons with GBM bursts, and 5) facilitate searches for non-electromagnetic GRB counterparts, particularly neutrinos and gravitational radiation. We present examples and demonstrate the synergy between Fermi and the IPN. This is a Fermi Cycle 2 Guest Investigator project.