GRB Progenitors and Environment

Abstract

The study and knowledge of the environment of Gamma-Ray Bursts is of great interest from many points of view. For high redshift (z>0.5) events, the structure of the ambient medium is one of the best indicators of the nature and properties of the progenitor. It also tells us about the last stages of the pre-explosion evolution of the progenitor. In addition, it is interesting in its own as a sample of the interstellar medium in a high redshift galaxy. Measures of the density and structure of the GRB environment are however sparse, and different methods yield different, often incompatible, results. I will review the methods and results with particular emphasis on the case of GRB 021004, a puzzling but highly informative event. I will finally underline the advancements that will be possible in the Swift era.