Absorption spectroscopy of gamma-ray burst afterglows: probing the GRB line of sight

TL;DR

This paper reviews how gamma-ray burst afterglow absorption spectroscopy, especially with the X-shooter spectrograph, provides insights into the high redshift Universe by analyzing the line of sight through GRB afterglows.

Contribution

It presents a review of the technique and initial results from high-resolution spectroscopy of GRB afterglows using the X-shooter instrument.

Findings

Insights into high redshift Universe from GRB spectroscopy

High signal-to-noise ratio spectra obtained within hours of GRB detection

Initial results demonstrate the technique's potential for cosmological studies

Abstract

GRB absorption spectroscopy opened up a new window in the study of the high redshift Universe, especially with the launch of the Swift satellite and the quick and precise localization of the afterglow. Eight-meter class telescopes can be repointed within a few hours from the GRB, enabling the acquisition of high signal-to-noise ratio and high resolution afterglow spectra. In this paper I will give a short review of what we learned through this technique, and I will present some of the first results obtained with the X-shooter spectrograph.