Optical Observations of Afterglows

Abstract

Optical, infrared and ultraviolet observations of GRB fields have allowed detection of counterparts and host galaxies of the high energy transients, thus crucially contributing to our present knowledge of the GRB phenomenon. Measurements of afterglow variable emission, polarized light, redshifted absorption and emission line spectra, as well as host galaxies brightnesses and colors have clarified many fundamental issues related to the radiation mechanisms and environments of GRBs, setting the background towards disclosing the nature of their progenitors.

22 pages, Latex, 6 PostScript figures, Chapter for the book "Supernovae and Gamma-Ray Bursters", edited by K. W. Weiler, Lecture Notes in Physics, Springer-Verlag Press (2001) (text and Table 1 updated with respect to formerly submitted version)