Review of GRANAT observations of gamma-ray bursts

The GRANAT observatory was launched into a high apogee orbit on 1 December, 1989. Three instruments onboard GRANAT - PHEBUS, WATCH and SIGMA are able to detect gamma-ray bursts in a very broad energy range from 6 keV up to 100 MeV. Over 250 gamma-ray bursts were detected. We discuss the results of the observations of the time histories and spectral evolution of the detected events provided by the different instruments in different energy ranges. Short Gamma-Ray Bursts (< 2 s) have 10 ms structure in their time histories. They have harder energy spectra than the long (> 2 s) events. Evidence of the existence of four differently behaving componenents in gamma-ray burst spectra is discussed. Statistical properties of the gamma-ray burst sources based on the 5 years of observations with ( 10^–6 erg/cm²) sensitivity as well as the results of high sensitivity ( 10^–8 erg/cm²) search for Gamma-Ray Bursts within the SIGMA telescope field of view are reviewed.     

Gamma-burst positions - are they reliable?

Ever since the discovery of the Cosmic Gamma-Ray Bursts we have searched for the quiescent counterparts of these mysterious flashes. Without definite counterparts our pictures of the sources must remain vague. The review discusses a number of techniques which have been applied to the gamma burst localization problem and their limitations. The most accurate technique to-date is the Interplanetary Network (IPN) timing technique. Considering the lack of success in the searches for counterparts in even the smallest gamma burst error boxes, it seems, that the next generation of satellite gamma burst detectors must be designed to allow immediate follow-up with sensitive telescopes. Concepts to achieve this goal are discussed.     

Gamma射线爆光曲线的一个简单激波模型

采用一个简单的激波模型来讨论了珈玛射线爆光变曲线的轮廓。根据激波理论,爆炸产生压力脉冲并以压力波的形式传播,既有压缩波也有膨胀波。压缩波的合并产生激波,它的强度被随后并入的压缩波或膨胀波分别增强或减弱。该模型能自然地描述珈玛爆光变曲线和光变曲线具有的"快速上升指数下降"的轮廓特征。我们认为这一特征是压缩波和膨胀波的传播特性导致的。     

Gamma-burst observations from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter

The LASL Pioneer Venus Orbiter Gamma Burst Detector (OGBD) is a vital element in the long base-line array of similar instruments intended to precisely locate sources of gamma-ray bursts. Results of early observations are described. The source of the gamma-ray burst of 5 March, 1979 (the first to be located with precision) has been determined to be consistent with the direction of supernova remnant N49 within the LMC. Approximate locations defined for a small number of events suggest no departure from an isotropic distribution.Paper presented at the Symposium on Cosmic Gamma-Ray Bursts held at Toulouse, France, 26–29 November 1979.     

Testing the blast wave model with Swift GRBs

The complex structure of the light curves of Swift Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) has made the identification of breaks, and the interpretation of the blast wave caused by the burst, more difficult than in the pre- Swift era. We aim to identify breaks, which are possibly hidden, and to constrain the blast wave parameters; electron energy distribution, p , density profile of the circumburst medium, k , and the continued energy injection index, q . We do so by comparing the observed multiwavelength light curves and X-ray spectra of our sample to the predictions of the blast wave model. We can successfully interpret all of the bursts in our sample of 10, except two, within this framework and we can estimate, with confidence, the electron energy distribution index for 6 of the sample. Furthermore, we identify jet breaks in a number of the bursts. A statistical analysis of the distribution of p reveals that, even in the most conservative case of least scatter, the values are not consistent with a single, universal value. The values of k suggest that the circumburst density profiles are not drawn from only one of the constant density or wind-like media populations.     

Quantum gravity with THESEUS

Experimental Astronomy - In this paper we explore the possibility to search for a dispersion law for light propagation in vacuo with a sample of Gamma-Ray Bursts detected by the THESEUS satellite....     

The LASL gamma-ray burst astronomy program

Gamma-ray burst observations performed by LASL began with the identification and initial report of the phenomenon from data acquired by the Vela satellites. The Vela instruments have recorded responses to 73 gamma-ray bursts over a ten-year interval, and are continuing to contribute toward these observations. Similar instrumentation was included aboard the NRL SOLRAD 11 spacecraft. These performed well but suffered an early demise. Recently, the LASL gamma-ray burst astronomy program has been enhanced through the implementation of experiments aboard the Pioneer Venus Orbiter and ISEE-C spacecraft. Both of these experiments are continuing to contribute data vital to trigonometric directional analyses.Paper presented at the Symposium on Cosmic Gamma-Ray Bursts, held at Toulouse, France, 26–29 November, 1979.     

The goddard program of gamma-ray transient astronomy

The Goddard program of gamma-ray burst studies is briefly reviewed. The past results, present status and future expectations are outlined regarding our endeavors using experiments on balloons, IMP-6 and IMP-7, OGO-3, ISEE-1 and ISEE-3, Helios-2, Solar Maximum Mission, the Einstein Observatory, Solar Polar and the Gamma Ray Observatory, and with the interplanetary gamma-ray burst networks, to which some of these spacecraft sensors contribute. Additional emphasis is given to the recent discovery of a new type of gamma-ray transient, detected on 5 March, 1979.Paper presented at the Symposium on Cosmic Gamma-Ray Bursts held at Toulouse, France, 26–29 November, 1979.     

Elementary flare bursts explained by explosive coalescence

The observed burst durations of Elementary Flare Bursts (5–25 s), as well as the related other flare characteristics, such as the temperature (30–50 MK), the electron density (log ne = 10 to 11) and the magnetic field strengths (100 G to 200 G) can be explained quantitatively by the mechanism of explosive coalescence.     

Recent results from the gamma-ray burst studies in the KONUS experiment

Observations of 85 gamma bursts by the KONUS instruments on the Venera 11 and Venera 12 spacecraft in the period September 1978 to May 1979 inclusive have provided proof of a galactic localization of the gamma-burst sources based on an analysis of the logN-logS plot and the revealed anisotropy in the angular distribution of sources over the celestial sphere. Evaluation of the energy released in the sources yields 10⁴⁰–10⁴¹ erg. There apparently exist several types of gamma bursts differing in time profile, duration and shape of their energy spectrum. In some cases, extensive evolution of the energy spectrum is observed during a burst. The discovery of a flaring X-ray pulsar in Dorado has provided the first observational evidence for a connection of gamma bursts with neutron stars. Repeated short bursts from this source have revealed for the first time the recurrent features of this phenomenon. Repeated bursts have been detected from one more source in the short burst class. The data obtained thus far impose a number of restrictions on the applicability of many theoretical suggestions concerning the nature of the gamma bursts. The most plausible model for the gamma-burst source appears to be a binary with a neutron star with strongly non-stationary accretion involving, possibly, non-stationary thermonuclear fusion of matter falling onto the surface of a degenerate star.Paper presented at the Symposium on Cosmic Gamma-Ray Bursts, held at Toulouse, France, 26–29 November, 1979.     

Gamma-Ray Bursts: reembarking on neutron stars

It is shown, that account of selection effects, possibly connected with the triggering conditions of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) registration lead to deviations from the 3/2 law in the uniformly distributed sample of GRBs. Formulas are suggested that give a good fit for the observed samples of GRBs by KONUS and BATSE experiments. Geminga is suggested as an attractive source for bursts monitoring observations in the optical, X-ray and soft gamma region.     

The spectra and light curves of two gamma-ray bursts

During the last half of 1977 the UCSD/MIT Hard X-Ray and Low Energy Gamma-Ray Experiment of HEAO-1 observed two of the three gamma-ray bursts detected by at least three satellites. The first of these bursts (20 October, 1977) had a fluence of (3.1±0.5)×10^–5 erg cm^–2 integrated over the energy range 0.135–2.05 MeV and over its duration of 38.7 s, placing it among the largest bursts observed. The second (10 November, 1977) had a fluence of (2.1±0.8)×10^–5 erg cm^–2 integrated over the energy range 0.125–3 MeV and over its duration of 2.8 s. The light curves of both bursts exhibit time fluctuations down to the limiting time resolution of the detectors (0.1 s). The spectrum of the 20 October, 1977 burst can be fitted with a power law (index –1.93±0.16), which is harder than other reported gamma-ray burst spectral fits. This burst was detected up to 2.05 MeV, and approximately half of its energy was emitted at photon energies above 0.5 MeV. The spectrum of the 10 November, 1977 burst is softer (index –2.4±0.7) and is similar to the spectrum of the 27 April, 1972 burst.Paper presented at the Symposium on Cosmic Gamma-Ray Bursts held at Toulouse, France, 26–29 November, 1979.     

The Converter Mechanism of Particle Acceleration and Its Applications to the Unidentified Egret Sources

We discuss the properties of gamma-ray radiation accompanying the acceleration of cosmic rays via the converter mechanism. The mechanism exploits multiple photon-induced conversions of high-energy particles from charged into neutral state (namely, protons to neutrons and electrons to photons) and back. Because a particle in the neutral state can freely cross the magnetic field lines, this allows to avoid both particle losses downstream and reduction in the energy gain factor, which normally takes place due to highly collimated distribution of accelerated particles. The converter mechanism efficiently operates in relativistic outflows under the conditions typical for Active Galactic Nuclei, Gamma-Ray Bursts, and microquasars, where it outperforms the standard diffusive shock acceleration. The accompanying radiation has a number of distinctive features, such as an increase of the maximum energy of synchrotron photons and peculiar radiation beam-pattern, whose opening angle is much wider at larger photon energies. This provides an opportunity to observe off-axis relativistic jets in GeV–TeV energy range. One of the implications is the possibility to explain high-latitude unidentified EGRET sources as off-axis but otherwise typical relativistic-jet sources, such as blazars.     

Periodicities in gamma-ray bursts

One of the most recent discoveries on gamma-ray bursts was the fact that one, or possibly two, of them had a pulsed emission with a periodicity of 8 and 4 s. The intensity of successive peaks decreased exponentially with time. We can speculate that the energy range and/or the lack of sensitivity are probably the reasons why periodicities were not discoverded in some other bursts. In fact, many time-histories show a double or multiple peak structure. If they were periodic, the distance between successive peaks would be equal to the period. Based on this extremely simplified assumption, a search on all available gamma-ray burst time-histories shows that most the periodicities above 1 s should be contained within an interval between 1 and 9 s, with a maximum at approximately 3 s.Paper presented at the Symposium on Cosmic Gamma-Ray Bursts held at Toulouse, France, 26–29 November, 1979.     

Short Gamma-Ray Bursts observed by PHEBUS

Statistical studies of Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) properties have recently led to the discovery of a subclass within the population of classical events (Dezalayet al. 1992, Kouveliotouet al. 1993). Bursts belonging to this subclass are characterized by short durations, typically less than 2 seconds, and harder spectra on average. Using the PHEBUS GRB data set, we analyse the distributions of peak intensity, hardness ratio, and duration of the two subclasses. We also compare the sum spectra obtained with the brightest events to determine the ratio of total energies observed for each population.     

The Synchrotron-self-Compton Radiation Accompanying Shallow Decaying X-Ray Afterglow： the Case of GRB 940217

High energy emission (> tens MeV) of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) provides an important clue on the physical processes occurring in GRBs that may be correlated with the GRB early afterglow. A shallow decline phase has been well identified in about half of Swift Gamma-ray Burst X-ray afterglows. The widely considered interpretation involves a significant energy injection and possibly time-evolving shock parameter(s). We calculate the synchrotron-self-Compton (SSC) radiation of such an external forward shock and show that it could explain the well-known long term high energy (i.e., tens MeV to GeV) afterglow of GRB 940217. We propose that cooperation of Swift and GLAST will help to reveal the nature of GRBs.     

Axion-Dilaton Coupling and Gamma-Ray Bursts

Axions emitted in supernovae are interesting candidates to account for Gamma-Ray Bursts provided their energy can be effectively converted into electromagnetic energy elsewhere. We point out that this convertion may occur more efficiently if one considers the coupling between intermediate scale axions and the string theory dilaton along with the inclusion of string loops. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hyperaccretion after the Blandford-Znajek Process： A New Model for GRBs with X-Ray Flares Observed in Early Afterglows

We propose a three-stage model with Blandford-Znajek (BZ) and hyperaccretion process to interpret the recent observations of early afterglows of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs). In the first stage, the prompt GRB is powered by a rotating black hole (BH) invoking the BZ process. The second stage is a quiet stage, in which the BZ process is shut off, and the accretion onto the BH is depressed by the torque exerted by the magnetic coupling (MC) process. Part of the rotational energy transported by the MC process from the BH is stored in the disk as magnetic energy. In the third stage, the MC process is shut off when the magnetic energy in the disk accumulates and triggers magnetic instability. At this moment, the hyperaccretion process may set in, and the jet launched in this restarted central engine generates the observed X-ray flares. This model can account for the energies and timescales of GRBs with X-ray flares observed in early afterglows.     

Great Microwave Bursts and hard X-rays from solar flares

The microwave and hard X-ray characteristics of 13 solar flares that produced microwave fluxes greater than 500 solar flux units have been analyzed. These Great Microwave Bursts were observed in the frequency range from 3 to 35 GHz at Bern, and simultaneous hard X-ray observations were made in the energy range from 30 to 500 keV with the Hard X-Ray Burst Spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission spacecraft. The principal aim of this analysis is to determine whether or not the same distribution of energetic electrons can explain both emissions. The temporal and spectral behaviors of the microwaves as a function of frequency and the X-rays as a function of energy were tested for correlations, with results suggesting that optically thick microwave emission, at a frequency near the peak frequency, originates in the same electron population that produces the hard X-rays. The microwave emission at lower frequencies, however, is poorly correlated with emission at the frequency which appears to characterize this common source. A single-temperature and a multitemperature model were tested for consistency with the coincident X-ray and microwave spectra at microwave burst maximum. Four events are inconsistent with both of the models tested, and neither of the models attempts to explain the high-frequency part of the microwave spectrum. A source area derived on the basis of the single-temperature model agrees to within the uncertainties with the observed area of the one burst for which spatially resolved X-ray images are available.Swiss National Science Foundation Fellow from the University of Bern.Also Energy/Environmental Research Group, Incorporated, Tucson, Arizona, and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Present address: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland.     

Algorithm for localization of a gamma-burst source using three satellites

A new method of determination of the coordinates of gamma-burst sources is proposed. This method permits to construct the region of localization using redundant number of the time delays.Paper presented at the Symposium on Cosmic Gamma-Ray Bursts, held at Toulouse, France, 26–29 November, 1979.