The signature of supernova ejecta in the X-ray afterglow of the gamma-ray burst 011211.

摘要: Now that γ-ray bursts (GRBs) have been determined to lie at cosmological distances1, their isotropic burst energies are estimated be as high 1054 erg (ref. 2), making them the most energetic phenomena in Universe. The nature of progenitors responsible for remains, however, elusive. favoured models range from merger two neutron stars a binary system3,4,5 collapse massive star6,7,8. Spectroscopic studies afterglow emission could reveal details environment burst, by indicating elements present, speed outflow and an estimate temperature. Here we report X-ray spectrum GRB011211, which shows lines magnesium, silicon, sulphur, argon, calcium possibly nickel, arising metal-enriched material with velocity order one-tenth light. These observations strongly favour models30 where supernova explosion stellar progenitor precedes event is outflowing matter.