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D. A. Frail (National Radio Astronomy Observatory)
I will review progress in the observations of radio afterglows from gamma-ray bursts. Studies of the spectral and temporal evolution of the afterglow emission from radio to X-rays provides vital information on burst energetics, shock physics, the outflow geometry and the pre-burst environment. All of these parameters must be known if we are to make progress in identifying the nature of gamma-ray burst progenitors.
In addition to their complementary role, radio observations make unique contributions such as measuring the angular size of the fireball (through interstellar scattering), detecting prompt emission, localizing optically "dark" bursts, and detecting the dust-rich GRB host galaxies which are undergoing extreme levels of star formation.
The NRAO is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.