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[84.02] Polarization in GRB 020405 and short-term variability in GRB 021004: examples of optical observations in the SWIFT era

D. Bersier, K. Z. Stanek, T. Matheson, J. Heyl (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA), P. M. Garnavich, S. T. Holland (Notre Dame), S. Jha (Bekeley)

We a 10% polarization measurement 1.3 day after the burst for GRB 020405. As another group measured 2% polarization 2 days after the burst, this is the first time that a significant variation has been seen in the polarized flux. We also present optical observations of the burst GRB 021004. We saw rapid variations during the first night and color changes during subsequent nights. We discuss these observations in the light of models for GRB emission and progenitors.

The two bursts exemplify the kind of targeted optical follow up programs that will yield high scientific returns in the SWIFT era.

The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: dbersier@cfa.harvard.edu

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 34, #4
© 2002. The American Astronomical Soceity.