| This is a target of opportunity (TOO) proposal for a Global VLBI observation of the radio counterpart of GRB
030329, an exceptionally bright afterglow associated with a nearby GRB (z=0.1685). These properties raise the
possibility of resolving the afterglow. While past VLBA observations of GRB 970508, GRB 980703, GRB 991208
and GRB 991216 constrained the size of the reball to < 0.4 mas (i.e. 10 22 cm) this is still 10 4 times larger than
the expected size. Here we propose late time observations (200 days) designed to resolve the afterglow and look
for any evidence for fast moving jet components. These observations will directly explore the morphology, expansion
velocities, and evolution of the relativistic blastwave, and will inform us about the shock physics as well as the
environment of the burst. |
