SIMBAD references

No optical afterglow was found for the dark burst GRB 981226, and hence no absorption redshift has been obtained. We here use ground-based and space imaging observations to analyze the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the host galaxy. By comparison with synthetic template spectra, we determine the photometric redshift of the GRB 981226 host to be z_phot=1.11±0.06 (68% confidence level). While the age-metallicity degeneracy for the host SED complicates the determination of accurate age, metallicity, and extinction, the photometric redshift is robust. The inferred z_photvalue is also robust compared to a Bayesian redshift estimator, which gives z_phot=0.94±0.13. The characteristics for this host are similar to other gamma-ray burst (GRB) hosts previously examined. Available low-resolution spectra show no emission lines at the expected wavelengths. The photometric redshift estimate indicates an isotropic energy release consistent with the Amati relation for this GRB, which had a spectrum characteristic of an X-ray flash.