[Previous] | [Session 87] | [Next]
L. Piro (Istituto Astrofisica Spaziale)
X-ray measurements of iron lines can provide a powerful diagnostics of the environment of Gamma-ray bursts, thus enlightening the still misterious nature of the central engine powering these phenomena. Furthermore, they would allow a direct measurement of the distance of the GRB, bypassing completely the long chain of steps that, from the Gamma and X-ray localization, brings to the optical determination of the redshift. In this contribution we will present the results of a search of this feature in the BeppoSAX X-ray afterglows of GRB. We will discuss their implication for near future missions, as AXAF and XMM.