THESEUS and the high redshift universe

TL;DR

This paper discusses how long-duration gamma-ray bursts can serve as powerful tools to study the early universe, star formation, and galaxy evolution, especially at high redshifts, with the help of the upcoming THESEUS mission.

Contribution

It highlights the potential of the THESEUS mission to significantly increase the detection and characterization of high-redshift GRBs, enabling new insights into the early universe.

Findings

Long-GRBs can trace star formation back to reionization.

High-redshift GRBs can identify faint galaxies and measure their properties.

The THESEUS mission will enhance our ability to study the early universe.

Abstract

Long-duration gamma-ray bursts (long-GRBs) can be detected throughout cosmic history and provide several unique insights into star-formation and galaxy evolution back to the era of reionization. They can be used to map star formation, identify galaxies across the luminosity function, determine detailed abundances even for the faintest of galaxies, quantify the escape fraction of ionizing radiation and track the progress of reionization. Fully exploiting these techniques requires a significant increase in the number of long-GRBs identified and characterised at $z\gtrsim6$, which can be achieved through a discovery mission with the capabilities of THESEUS, in combination with the powerful follow-up facilities that will be available in the 2030s.