GCN Circular 1431

S. Covino, G. Ghisellini, D. Malesani, P. Saracco, G. Tagliaferri, F.  Zerbi
(Observ. of Brera, Milan, Italy); S. Di Serego, A. Cimatti, M. Della Valle
(Observ. of Arcetri, Florence, Italy); F. Fiore, G.L. Israel, L. Stella
(Observ. of Monte Porzio, Rome, Italy); M. Vietri (Univ. Rome 3, I); N.  Kawai
(Tokyo Tech, Japan); D. Lazzati (IoA, Cambridge, UK); S. Ortolani (Univ.  of
Padua, Italy); L. Pasquini (ESO, Germany); G. Ricker (MIT, USA); E. Le Floch,
P. Goldoni, F. Mirabel (CEA, F)  report:


On 2002 April 7.21 and April 8.26 we observed the optical counterpart to
GRB020405. The observations were performed with the ESO VLT-3 (Melipal)
telescope equipped with FORS1 with a Bessel V band filter in the imaging
polarimetry mode. The transient source is clearly detected superposed to a
bright galaxy. The acquisition images allowed us to derive the magnitude of
the transient as reported in GCN 1337
Not found
 
 
 and GCN 1345
Not found
 
 
 (Covino et al.).

On April 7.21 (2.1 days after the GRB) we found linear polarization at the
level of 1.93 +/- 0.33 per cent with position angle 154 +/- 5 degrees while
on April 8.26 (3.2 days after the GRB) we found linear polarization at the
level of 1.23 +/- 0.43 per cent with position angle 168 +/- 9 degrees.
Polarization measurements were corrected for any instrumental effect or
measurement bias and the reported polarization degrees and position angles
are derived from Stokes parameters normalized to the average of the field
stars.


This message is citeable.