Scientific Highlights of
the HETE-2 Gamma-Ray Burst
4:00 p.m. (coffee @ 3:30)
I first provide an
introduction to gamma-ray bursts (GRBs).
I then describe several of the scientific highlights of the High-Energy
Transient Explorer-2 (HETE-2) mission.
The discovery of GRB 030329 (=SN 2003dh) by HETE-2 and follow-up
observations of it have confirmed the connection between GRBs and Type Ic supernovae,
a singular achievement and certainly one of the scientific highlights of the
mission so far. HETE-2 and follow-up
observations have placed severe constraints on any X-ray or optical afterglow
of a short GRB. They are also solving
the mystery of "optically dark" GRBs and revealing the nature of
"X-Ray Flashes." I conclude by
discussing some of the new and exciting questions about GRBs raised by these
and other recent results.