The Optical Afterglows of Gamma-Ray Bursts

Abstract

The optical afterglows of gamma-ray bursts can be used to probe the physics, geometry, and environments of gamma-ray bursts. In this article I discuss the how spectra and photometry can be used to constrain fireball parameters, describe several types of breaks that might be observed in the optical decay, and briefly review the late-time bumps and rapid variations in optical light curves.

12 pages, 7 figures, uses econfmacros.tex. To appear in the NBSI conference proceedings for Beaming and Jets in Gamma-Ray Bursts. Minor typographical and grammatical corrections have been made

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