GRB 190114C in the nuclear region of an interacting galaxy. A detailed host analysis using ALMA, the HST, and the VLT

DOI: 
10.1051/0004-6361/201936668
Publication date: 
01/01/2020
Main author: 
de Ugarte Postigo, A.
IAA authors: 
de Ugarte Postigo, A.;Thöne, C. C.;Kann, D. A.;Bensch, K.;Izzo, L.
Authors: 
de Ugarte Postigo, A.;Thöne, C. C.;Martín, S.;Japelj, J.;Levan, A. J.;Michałowski, M. J.;Selsing, J.;Kann, D. A.;Schulze, S.;Palmerio, J. T.;Vergani, S. D.;Tanvir, N. R.;Bensch, K.;Covino, S.;D'Elia, V.;De Pasquale, M.;Fruchter, A. S.;Fynbo, J. P. U.;Hartmann, D.;Heintz, K. E.;van der Horst, A. J.;Izzo, L.;Jakobsson, P.;Ng, K. C. Y.;Perley, D. A.;Rossi, A.;Sbarufatti, B.;Salvaterra, R.;Sánchez-Ramírez, R.;Watson, D.;Xu, D.
Journal: 
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
633
Pages: 
A68
Abstract: 
Context. For the first time, very high energy emission up to the TeV range has been reported for a gamma-ray burst (GRB). It is still unclear whether the environmental properties of GRB 190114C might have contributed to the production of these very high energy photons, or if it is solely related to the released GRB emission. <BR /> Aims: The relatively low redshift of the GRB (z = 0.425) allows us to study the host galaxy of this event in detail, and to potentially identify idiosyncrasies that could point to progenitor characteristics or environmental properties that might be responsible for this unique event. <BR /> Methods: We used ultraviolet, optical, infrared, and submillimetre imaging and spectroscopy obtained with the HST, the VLT, and ALMA to obtain an extensive dataset on which the analysis of the host galaxy is based. <BR /> Results: The host system is composed of a close pair of interacting galaxies (∆v = 50 km s<SUP>-1</SUP>), both of which are well detected by ALMA in CO(3-2). The GRB occurred within the nuclear region (̃170 pc from the centre) of the less massive but more star-forming galaxy of the pair. The host is more massive (log(M/M<SUB>☉</SUB>) = 9.3) than average GRB hosts at this redshift, and the location of the GRB is rather unique. The higher star formation rate was probably triggered by tidal interactions between the two galaxies. Our ALMA observations indicate that both host galaxy and companion have a high molecular gas fraction, as has been observed before in interacting galaxy pairs. <BR /> Conclusions: The location of the GRB within the core of an interacting galaxy with an extinguished line of sight is indicative of a denser environment than typically observed for GRBs and could have been crucial for the generation of the very high energy photons that were observed. <P />Partially based on Hubble Space Telescope observations obtained under Director's Discretionary Time programme number 15684 (P.I.: Levan) and under programme number 15708 (P.I.: Levan). Partially based on Very Large Telescope observations obtained by the Stargate Consortium under programme 0102.D-0662 (P.I.: Tanvir). Partially based on Atacama Large Millimeter Array observations obtained under Director's Discretionary Time programme ADS/JAO.ALMA#2018.A.00020.T (P.I.: de Ugarte Postigo).
Database: 
ADS
SCOPUS
URL: 
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/#abs/2020A&A...633A..68D/abstract
ADS Bibcode: 
2020A&A...633A..68D
Keywords: 
gamma-ray burst: individual: 190114C;ISM: molecules;galaxies: ISM;galaxies: star formation