Discovery and redshift of an optical afterglow in 71 square degrees: iPTF13bxl and GRB 130702A

TL;DR

This paper reports the first optical afterglow discovery solely based on Fermi GBM localization, demonstrating a new method for rapid identification of GRB counterparts over large sky areas, with implications for future gravitational wave follow-up.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining real-time image subtraction, machine learning, and rapid multi-wavelength follow-up to identify GRB afterglows from large-area gamma-ray localizations.

Findings

First afterglow discovered from Fermi GBM localization

Confirmed association with X-ray and radio counterparts

Redshift measurement places GRB among low-redshift events

Abstract

We report the discovery of the optical afterglow of the gamma-ray burst (GRB) 130702A, identified upon searching 71 square degrees surrounding the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) localization. Discovered and characterized by the intermediate Palomar Transient Factory (iPTF), iPTF13bxl is the first afterglow discovered solely based on a GBM localization. Real-time image subtraction, machine learning, human vetting, and rapid response multi-wavelength follow-up enabled us to quickly narrow a list of 27,004 optical transient candidates to a single afterglow-like source. Detection of a new, fading X-ray source by Swift and a radio counterpart by CARMA and the VLA confirmed the association between iPTF13bxl and GRB 130702A. Spectroscopy with the Magellan and Palomar 200-inch telescopes showed the afterglow to be at a redshift of z=0.145, placing GRB 130702A among the lowest redshift GRBs detected to date. The prompt gamma-ray energy release and afterglow luminosity are intermediate between typical cosmological GRBs and nearby sub-luminous events such as GRB 980425 and GRB 060218. The bright afterglow and emerging supernova offer an opportunity for extensive panchromatic follow-up. Our discovery of iPTF13bxl demonstrates the first observational proof-of-principle for ~10 Fermi-iPTF localizations annually. Furthermore, it represents an important step towards overcoming the challenges inherent in uncovering faint optical counterparts to comparably localized gravitational wave events in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo era.