[vsnet-grb-info 15485] GRB 140903A: tentative spectroscopic redshift

[GCN Circulars]

TITLE:   GCN CIRCULAR
NUMBER:  16774
SUBJECT: GRB 140903A: tentative spectroscopic redshift
DATE:    14/09/04 14:30:39 GMT
FROM:    Antonino Cucchiara at NASA/GSFC  <antonino.cucchiara at nasa.gov>

A. Cucchiara (NASA-GSFC), S.B. Cenko (NASA-GSFC), 
D. A. Perley (Caltech), J. Capone (UMD), and V. Toy (UMD) 
report on behalf of a larger collaboration:

On September 4.20 UT we observe the candidate afterglow of the short GRB 
140903A (Cummings et al. GCN 16763, Kennea et al. GCN 16764, Capone et al. 
GCN 16769) with the Gemini-North telescope equipped with the GMOS camera. 
A set of 2x600s exposures were obtained in spectroscopic mode: our spectra 
covered the wavelength range 4000-8100 Angstroms at a resolution of R~1200. 

We clearly identify a strong absorption doublet feature at the observed wavelength 
7954, 7965 Angstrom and a weak emission line at 6570 Angstrom.
We tentatively interpret these features as NaID in absorption and H-beta line 
in emission at the common redshift of z=0.351.
No other clear features are visible neither in emission nor in absorption, 
therefore we suggest this to be the redshift of the host galaxy of GRB 140903A.


We thank the Gemini staff, in particular Jess Ball, for their prompt
assistance with these observations.