Description |
Long gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs), are the brightest transient events in the Universe. This, combined with their wide range in redshift and the fact that they are associated with the collapse of massive, low metallicity stars, establishes LGRBs as powerful probes of star formation and an unbiased method for identifying high redshift galaxies. Targeted observations of LGRB hosts have shown them to be typically blue, low metallicity, dwarf to intermediate mass galaxies. However, the role of dust in the star formation history, chemical enrichment and evolution of these sources is currently still unclear, yet its importance cannot be overstated as it is directly related to the origin of the LGRB. The dust properties of LGRB host galaxies can be uniquely investigated with Herschel due to its ability to probe the peak of the dust emission, particularly in the nearby Universe where we can gain a fundamental understanding of the role of dust in these systems. In this proposal we request 48 min of Herschel (PACS and SPIRE) observations of 2 local z0.1 LGRB host galaxies, already well studied over a large part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Our proposed targets are the only Herschel-detectable LGRBs hosts in the local Universe which have properties resembling those of the general LGRB population, setting our study key in understanding the processes and interstellar medium (ISM) conditions associated with LGRBs. Our proposed observations will enable us to examine in detail currently unconstrained properties, such as the dust mass, dust temperature, dust to gas ratio, star-formation history and extinction. In addition, for the first time, we will be able to link the LGRB explosion to the conditions and chemical evolution of the ISM as as well as examine the role of dust in LGRB hosts harbouring metal poor, massive stars. |