GRBSpec: a multi-observatory database for gamma-ray burst spectroscopy

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most luminous explosions in the Universe. They are produced during the collapse of massive stellar-sized objects, which create a black hole and eject material at ultra-relativistic speeds. They are unique tools to study the evolution of our Universe, as they are the only objects that, thanks to their extraordinary luminosity, can be observed during the complete history of star formation, from the era of reionisation to our days. One of the main tools to obtain information from GRBs and their environment is optical and near-infrared spectroscopy. After 17 years of studies spectroscopic data for around 300 events that have been collected. However, spectra were obtained by many groups, at different observatories, and using instruments of very different types, making data difficult to access, process and compare. Here we present GRBspec: A collaborative database that includes processed GRB spectra from multiple observatories and makes them available to the community. The website provides access to the datasets, allowing queries based not only on the observation characteristics but also on the properties of the GRB that was observed. Furthermore, the website provides visualisation and analysis tools, that allow the user to asses the quality of the data before downloading and even make data analysis online.