Mapping the Distribution of Gamma-Ray Bursts using Open Data GIS

Speaker: Mercy Onaopemipo Akintola

Track: Introduction to Free Software & Debian

Type: Short talk (20 minutes)

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are fascinating astronomical phenomena thought to be caused by the collapse of massive stars or the merger of binary neutron stars. To gain insights into the distribution and properties of GRBs, we used open data GIS to map the distribution of GRBs in the sky. We collected data on GRBs from publicly available databases such as the Gamma-ray Burst Coordinate Network (GCN), the Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor (GBM), and the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT), and conducted spatial analysis to identify regions of the universe with high and low densities of GRBs. Our analysis revealed that GRBs are distributed non-uniformly in the sky, with a higher density of GRBs observed in certain regions of the universe. I identified several clusters of GRBs that were located near each other in space, suggesting that they may have a common origin. Our density maps showed that GRBs are most common in the outskirts of galaxies, where star formation is also high. These results suggest that the formation of GRBs is closely linked to the formation and evolution of stars in galaxies. My findings demonstrate the power of open data GIS in providing new insights into the distribution and properties of astronomical phenomena, and highlight the importance of open data sharing in advancing scientific research