Radio Afterglows of Gamma Ray Bursts

TL;DR

This review discusses the role of radio afterglow observations in understanding Gamma Ray Bursts, highlighting recent advancements and future prospects with upcoming radio astronomy instruments.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of radio afterglow physics and emphasizes the potential of upcoming radio telescopes to advance GRB research.

Findings

Radio afterglows confirm relativistic effects in GRBs

Upcoming radio telescopes will improve detection statistics

Radio band offers unique insights into GRB physics

Abstract

This review focuses on the physics of Gamma Ray Bursts probed through their radio afterglow emission. Even though radio band is the least explored of the afterglow spectrum, it has played an important role in the progress of GRB physics, specifically in confirming the hypothesized relativistic effects. Currently radio astronomy is in the beginning of a revolution. The high sensitive Square Kilometer Array (SKA) is being planned, its precursors and pathfinders are about to be operational, and several existing instruments are undergoing upgradation. Thus, the afterglow detection statistics and results from follow up programs are expected to improve in the coming years. We list a few avenues unique to radio band which if explored to full potential have the promise to greatly contribute to the future of GRB physics.