Nature of the 9 GHz radio detection is undetermined

Ascertain whether the ≈11-day 9 GHz flux density measurement of GRB220831A reflects intrinsic afterglow emission or is significantly affected by interstellar scintillation, through additional radio monitoring to characterize variability.

Background

A marginal 9 GHz detection at ≈11 days post-burst is reported, with non-detections at other epochs and frequencies. The forward-shock model underpredicts the measured flux, and scintillation at this frequency can induce variability up to ~100%.

Because only one radio detection is available, the authors cannot determine if the measurement represents the source’s intrinsic luminosity or a chance scintillation enhancement.