East Asia VLBI Network observations of the TeV Gamma-Ray Burst 190114C

TL;DR

This study used the East Asia VLBI Network to observe the TeV gamma-ray burst 190114C at multiple epochs, providing constraints on its radio emission and demonstrating the network's capability for transient monitoring.

Contribution

First VLBI follow-up of a TeV gamma-ray burst with EAVN, establishing observational constraints and operational experience for future transient studies.

Findings

No significant radio emission detected at 22 GHz.

Upper limits constrain afterglow emission models.

First EAVN transient observation in ToO mode.

Abstract

Observations of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) at Very High Energy (VHE) offer a unique opportunity to investigate particle acceleration processes, magnetic fields and radiation fields in these events. Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations have been proven to be a powerful tool providing unique information on the source size of the GRBs at mas scales, as well as their accurate positions and possible expansion speeds. This paper reports on the follow-up observations of GRB 190114C, the first ever GRB detected with high significance at TeV photon energies by the MAGIC telescope, conducted with the East Asia VLBI Network (EAVN) at 22 GHz on three epochs, corresponding to 6, 15 and 32 days after the burst. The derived maps do not show any significant source above 5 sigma. The inferred upper limits on the GRB 190114C flux density at 22 GHz are used here to constrain the allowable two-dimensional parameter space for the afterglow emission. We find that our limits are consistent with most afterglow parameter combinations proposed so far in the literature. This is the first effort for the EAVN to search and monitor a radio transient in the Target of Opportunity mode. In addition to the useful constraints on GRB 190114C radio emission, experience gained from these observations is very helpful for future routine operation of EAVN transient program.