A search for very high energy bursts

Of great importance in distinguishing between models for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) is the experimental determination of the highest energy gamma rays associated with bursts. The EGRET detection of a 15 GeV gamma ray indicates that the spectra of at least some bursts extend well beyond the several MeV limit of the BATSE detectors (Hurleyet al., 1994). The low expected flux means that the collecting area of the present generation of satellite-based detectors is too small to detect gamma rays much above this energy efficiently, and such searches are currently undertaken with ground based detectors. In this paper searches made for very high energy GRBs with a southern hemisphere air shower particle array are described.     

Source population synthesis and the Galactic diffuse gamma-ray emission

Population synthesis is used to study the contribution from unresolved sources to the Galactic ridge emission measured by EGRET. Synthesized source counts are compared with the 3rd EGRET catalogue at low and high latitudes. For pulsar-like populations, 5–10% of the emission >100 MeV comes from sources below the EGRET threshold. A steeper luminosity function can increase this to 20% without violating EGRET source statistics. Less luminous populations can produce much higher values without being detected. Since the unresolved source spectrum is different from the interstellar spectrum, it could provide an explanation of the observed MeV and GeV excesses above the predictions, and we give an explicit example of how this could work.     

Fluence Ordering of Solar Energetic Proton Events Using Cosmogenic Radionuclide Data

While data on the cosmogenic isotopes ¹⁴C and ¹⁰Be made it possible to evaluate extreme solar proton events (SPEs) in the past, their relation to standard parameters quantifying the SPE strengths, viz. the integrated fluence of protons with energy above 30 MeV, F ₃₀, is ambiguous and strongly depends on the assumed shape of the energy spectrum. Here we propose a new index, the integral fluence of an SPE above 200 MeV, F ₂₀₀, which is related to the production of the cosmogenic isotopes ¹⁴C and ¹⁰Be in the Earth atmosphere, independently of the assumptions on the energy spectrum of the event. The F ₂₀₀ fluence is reconstructed from past cosmogenic isotope data, which provides an assessment of the occurrence probability density function for extreme SPEs. In particular, we evaluate that extreme SPEs with F ₂₀₀>10¹⁰ cm^?2 occur no more frequently than once per 10?–?15 kyr.     

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.     

On the correlation between the solar gamma–ray line emission,radio bursts and proton fluxes in the interplanetary space

It is shown that the correlation takes place between the 4–7 MeV gamma–ray line flare fluence F_4–7 and the intensity of the > 10 MeV proton flux in the interplanetary space as well as between F_4–7 and the peak flux density of microwave bursts. Besides, the energy spectral index of protons displays the definite dependence from parameters of the radio burst frequency spectrum. These testify that: a) there is a close physical association between the acceleration of electrons and protons in flares; b) protons, giving gamma–ray lines, and ones, registered in the interplanetary space, belong to the same population.     

SOLAR ENERGETIC ION AND ELECTRON LIMITS FROM HIREGS OBSERVATIONS

The HIgh-REsolution Gamma-ray and hard X-ray Spectrometer (HIREGS) consists of an actively shielded array of twelve liquid-nitrogen-cooled germanium detectors designed to provide unprecedented spectral resolution and narrow-line sensitivity for solar gamma-ray line observations. Two long-duration, circumpolar balloon flights of HIREGS in Antarctica (10–24 January, 1992 and 31 December, 1992–10 January, 1993) provided 90.9 and 20.4 hours of solar observations, respectively. During the observations, eleven soft X-ray bursts at C levels and above (largest M1.7) occurred, and three small solar hard X-ray bursts were detected by the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory. HIREGS detected a significant increase above 30 keV in one. No solar gamma-ray line emission was detected. Limits on the 2.223-MeV line and the hard X-ray emission are used to estimate the relative contribution of protons and electrons to the energy in flares, and to coronal heating. For the 2.223-MeV line, the upper limit fluence is 0.8 ph cm^-2 in the flares, and the upper limit flux is 1.8 × 10^-4 ph s^-1 cm^-2 in the absence of flares. These limits imply that 6 × 10³⁰ (2) protons above 30 MeV were accelerated in the flares, assuming standard photospheric abundances and a thick target model. The total energy contained in the accelerated protons >30 MeV is 4 × 10²⁶ ergs, but this limit can be more than 10³⁰ ergs if the spectrum extends down to 1 MeV. The upper limit on the total energy in accelerated electrons during the observed flares can also exceed 10³⁰ ergs if the spectrum goes down to 7 keV. Quiet-Sun observations indicate that 10²⁶erg s^-1 are deposited by energetic protons >1 MeV, well below the10²⁷ –10²⁸ erg s^-1 required for coronal heating, while <3 × 10²⁷ erg s^-1 are deposited by energetic electrons, which does not exclude the possibility of coronal heating by quiet-time accelerated electrons. The quiet-Sun observations also suggest that if protons stored in the corona are to supply the energy for flares, as suggested by Elliot (1964), the proton spectrum must extend down to at least 2 MeV. However, collisional losses at typical coronal-loop densities prevent those low-energy protons from being stored for 10⁴ s. It therefore seems unlikely that the energy for flares could come from energetic protons stored over long periods.     

Is sky distribution of gamma-ray bursts random?

We investigate the full randomness of the angular distribution of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the BATSE (the Burst and Transient Source Experiment). We divided the BATSE sample into 5 subsamples (short1, short2, intermediate, long1, long2 based on their durations and peak fluxes and studied the angular distributions separately. We used three methods, the Voronoi tesselation, minimal spanning tree and multifractal spectra to search for non-randomness in the subsamples. To investigate the eventual non-randomness in the subsamples we defined 13 test-variables (9 from the Voronoi tesselation, 3 from the minimal spanning tree and one from the multifractal spectrum). We performed Monte Carlo simulations taking into account the BATSE sky-exposure function. We tested the randomness by introducing squared Euclidean distances in the parameter space of the test-variables. We concluded that the short1, short2 groups deviate significantly (99.90%, 99.98%) from the full randomness in the distribution of the squared Euclidean distances, however, it is not the case with the long subsamples. In the intermediate group, the squared Euclidean distances also yield a significant deviation (98.51%).     

Comptel Constraints on Unidentified EGRET Sources

A major legacy of the EGRET experiment aboard the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO) is the detection of a large number of unidentified Gamma-ray sources. Out of the 271 EGRET sources are 170 not identified yet [Hartman et al. ApJS (123) (1999) 79]. To provide additional information on these unidentified EGRET sources, we derived simultaneous MeV fluxes or flux limits for each source by analyzing the contemporaneous COMPTEL data. Then we compare these MeV fluxes to the extrapolations of the published EGRET spectra. Our results can be grouped into 4 categories [Zhang et al. A&A (421) (2004) 983]: (1) non-constraining upper limits (∼120 sources), (2) hints (> 2 sigma) or detections with consistent MeV fluxes (∼16 sources), (3) enhanced MeV emission (2 sources), and (4) constraining MeV flux limits, requiring a spectral break (∼22 sources). In summary, for about 40 of the unidentified EGRET sources we can provide supplementary spectral information in the neighboring gamma-ray band, which – together with other source parameters – might provide clues to the underlying source nature.     

Average temporal signatures of GRBs: applications to theoretical models

New statistical results for cosmic gamma-ray bursts are presented, based on aligned average time profiles. General signatures are discussed of averaged flux/spectrum evolution of the full set of the Second BATSE Catalog GRBs (Fishmanet al., 1995), as well as of the bright and dim subsets. The contradictory conclusions made by Norriset al., (1994) and Mitrofanovet al., (1995a) about the presence or the absence of the time-dilation of dim GRBs are discussed. The well-established effect of hardness/brightness correlation of GRBs is presented. The consequences of these statistical studies are discussed for the cosmological and galactic paradigms of GRBs sources.     

Some requirements of a colliding comet source of gamma ray bursts

Colliding comets in the Solar System may be an important source of gamma ray bursts. The spherical gamma ray comet cloud required by the results of the Venera Satellites (Mazets and Golenetskii, 1987) and the BATSE detector on the Compton Satellite (Meeganet al., 1992a, b) is neither the Oort Cloud nor the Kuiper Belt. To satisfy observations ofN(>P _max) vsP _max for the maximum gamma ray fluxes,P _max > 10^–5 erg cm^–2 s^–1 (about 30 bursts yr^–1), the comet density,n, should increase asn a ¹ from about 40 to 100 AU wherea is the comet heliocentric distance. The turnover above 100 AU requiresn a ^–1/2 to 200 AU to fit the Venera results andn a ^1/4 to 400 AU to fit the BATSE data. Then the masses of comets in the 3 regions are from: 40–100 AU, about 9 earth masses,m _E; 100–200 AU about 25m _E; and 100–400 AU, about 900m _E. The flux of 10^–5 erg cm^–2 s^–1 corresponds to a luminosity at 100 AU of 3 × 10²⁶ erg s^–1. Two colliding spherical comets at a distance of 100 AU, each with nucleus of radiusR of 5 km, density of 0.5 g cm^–3 and Keplerian velocity 3 km s^–1 have a combined kinetic energy of 3 × 10²⁸ erg, a factor of about 100 greater than required by the burst maximum fluxes that last for one second. Betatron acceleration in the compressed magnetic fields between the colliding comets could accelerate electrons to energies sufficient to produce the observed high energy gamma rays. Many of the additional observed features of gamma ray bursts can be explained by the solar comet collision source.     

Spectrum of Fluctuations of Solar Noise Storms

The calculation of the Fourier transform of noise storm (NS) fluctuations showed that the power spectrum was adequately described by the expression G(F)∼1/F. Our results rule out the possibility that NS radiation is formed from random, short-term bursts (so-called type I bursts), since the spectrum of the sum of random short fluctuations is flat, but the real NS has a hyperbolic spectrum. This spectrum is monotonic and does not contain any components that exceed the level of the statistical fluctuations (i.e., the results of observations do not reveal the presence of periodic or resonant properties of the emission source). The hyperbolic shape of the spectrum shows that the main energy of a NS is contained in the slower temporal fluctuations.     

Cosmological rates of coalescing neutron stars and GRB

Assuming that gamma-ray bursts (GRB) originate from binary neutron star (NS) or black holes (BH) merging in distant galaxies, theoretical logN-logS distributions for gamma-ray bursts (GRB) are calculated using the compact binaries coalescence rates computed for model galaxies with different star formation histories. A flat cosmological model ( = 1) with different values of the cosmological constant is used. The calculated source evolution predicts a 5–10 times increase of the source statistics at count rates 3–10 times lower than the existing BATSE sensitivity limit. The most important parameter in fitting the 2nd BATSE catalogue is the initial redshift of star formation, which is found to bez _* = 2 — 5 depending on a poorly determined average spectral index of GRB.     

The BATSE search for absorption lines

No absorption lines between 15 and 100 keV have been detected in burst spectra accumulated by BATSE. Almost 250 bursts have been inspected visually, and a computerized search has begun. Our simulations show that BATSE could indeed detect lines similar to those observed byGinga in strong bursts, and our tests of the detectors' actual capabilities demonstrate they function as understood. The apparent discrepancy between BATSE andGinga is not yet compelling, and therefore the BATSE nondetections do not invalidate theGinga detections. Nonetheless, the absence of BATSE line detections indicates a low line-occurrence frequency.     

The correlations between hardness ratios and fitting parameters in GRB spectrum

In this paper, besides general definition of hardness ratio of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), HR ₃₂, we also presented new definitions of hardness ratios, HR _hl and HR _ll, then presented the results of correlation studies, examining the association between the hardness ratios and the spectral fitting parameters (E ₀ or E _peak, α, β) by using the GRB data observed by BATSE. The HR _hl is defined as the fluence of channel 4 divided by the sum of the fluences of channels 1 to 3,and the HR _ll is defined as the fluence of channel 3 divided by the sum of the fluences of channel 1 and 2. We found that E ₀ and E _peak are correlated with hardness ratios, and β is only correlated with log (HR _hl). The α is not correlated with any hardness ratios in the total sample of GRBs, while it correlated with log (HR _ll) and log (HR ₃₂) in the two subsets seperated at log (HR _ll) = 0.34 ×α +0.66, respectively. These results show that a harder spectra tends to be steeper and has a higher E _peak or E ₀; HR _hl describes the spectral behaviors in high energy, while both of HR _ll and HR ₃₂ reflect the spectral characteristics in low energy; the spectral behaviors in low energy are different for the two subsets. We also presented a brief qualitative analysis discussion to the correlations and suggested that the correlations are caused by both of intrinsic and cosmological effects, but intrinsic effects are dominant. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Search for gamma-ray bursts with energies above 1 TEV

Some models of gamma-ray bursts suggest that their spectrum may extend into the energy range above 10 GeV, i.e. above energies accessible with CGRO. Data taken with the HEGRA extensive air shower array are used to search for very high energetic gamma-ray burst counterparts above 1 TeV. First results from the search for BATSE correlated and BATSE independent bursts are presented.     

Regularized Reconstruction of the Differential Emission Measure from Solar Flare Hard X-Ray Spectra

We address the problem of how to test whether an observed solar hard X-ray bremsstrahlung spectrum (I(∊)) is consistent with a purely thermal (locally Maxwellian) distribution of source electrons, and, if so, how to reconstruct the corresponding differential emission measure (ξ(T)). Unlike previous analysis based on the Kramers and Bethe-Heitler approximations to the bremsstrahlung cross-section, here we use an exact (solid-angle-averaged) cross-section. We show that the problem of determining ξ(T) from measurements of I(∊) invOlves two successive inverse problems: the first, to recover the mean source-electron flux spectrum ( [`(F)]\overline{F} (E)) from I(∊) and the second, to recover ξ(T) from [`(F)]\overline{F} (E). We discuss the highly pathological numerical properties of this second problem within the framework of the regularization theory for linear inverse problems. In particular, we show that an iterative scheme with a positivity constraint is effective in recovering δ-like forms of ξ(T) while first-order Tikhonov regularization with boundary conditions works well in the case of power-law-like forms. Therefore, we introduce a restoration approach whereby the low-energy part of [`(F)]\overline{F} (E), dominated by the thermal component, is inverted by using the iterative algorithm with positivity, while the high-energy part, dominated by the power-law component, is inverted by using first-order regularization. This approach is first tested by using simulated [`(F)]\overline{F} (E) derived from a priori known forms of ξ(T) and then applied to hard X-ray spectral data from the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI).     

Comptel analysis of GRB 940217

COMPTEL on board CGRO has observed a very strong (S[> 0.3 MeV] = 2.03 × 10^–4 erg cm^–2), complex, and long lasting (162 s) gamma-ray burst on February 17, 1994 (GRB 940217). Temporal fluctuations occur on timescales as short as 100 ms. Hard-to-soft spectral evolution has been observed during the burst emission and also within individual peaks. The photon spectra obtained within the 6 peaks can be modelled by single power law spectra and by broken power laws with break energies at around 1 MeV. The best-fit power law slopes vary between 1.1 and 3.5 throughout the event. The burst is located at [ ₂₀₀₀, ₂₀₀₀] = [29.5°, 3.8°] with a 3 error radius of 0.9°. COMPTEL does not detect any significant post-burst emission (as reported by EGRET) at low energies (< 30 MeV), and our upper limits are marginally consistent with the EGRET detections. Using high energy spectral and temporal information, distance limits to GRB 940217 have been derived.     

On the detection of high‐frequency oscillations in short gamma‐ray bursts

In this work we present the results of an investigation aimed at a search for an oscillatory phenomenon during short gamma‐ray bursts. The wavelet technique, used for this analysis, is applied to the data from the BATSE 3B catalogue. We have detected oscillations, which periods are found to be in the milliseconds range and their amplitudes up to dozens of percents. A possible scenario for such a phenomenon is the coalescence of stellar‐mass black holes and neutron stars. During the coalescence process the matter orbiting the black hole produces rapid, periodic phenomena. Such system will also emit gravitational waves which cause the orbital radius to decrease and leads to the emission of a chirp of radiation. Estimates lead to a timescale of milliseconds for the coalescence process and oscillation frequencies of hundreds of Hz. The gamma‐ray bursts considered in this paper, show both frequencies and survival times of oscillations close to the mentioned values. A chirp phenomenon is also present. We therefore argue in favor of the black hole – neutron star coalescence as a scenario for the production of short gamma‐ray bursts (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Observations of GRBs with the Explosive Transient Camera

The Explosive Transient Camera (ETC) has been performing automatic observations of the night sky since 1990. Since the launch of the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory, the times and localizations of-ray bursts detected by the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) have been compared with ETC observations to determine whether the ETC had observed a -ray burst in progress. To date, six temporal and spatial correlations have been found, but no new optical radiation has been detected. In this paper, we present current results of ETC/BATSE correlated observations and describe plans for future observations.     

Search for nearby host galaxies of short gamma-ray bursts detected and well localized by BATSE/IPN

We have collected the observational data accumulated before the Swift experiment to check the possible connection of short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) with low-redshift galaxies. The BATSE/IPN experimental data on well-localized short GRBs and the SDSS DR5 and PSCz catalogs of galaxies are used. The PSCz sky coverage has allowed us to search for host galaxies for a sample of 34 short GRBs. One or more galaxies have been found in the error boxes of six bursts, but the probability of a chance coincidence for each of them is high. No excess of nearby galaxies in the total sample has been detected. The 90% confidence limit corresponds to the fact that no more than 7%of the short GRBs could originate in nearby galaxies of the PSCz sample. The estimated upper limit of several percent may be considered to be valid in the volume z = 0.015–0.025. Based on the results of our search, we have estimated the lower limits for the isotropic energies E _γiso of 31 short bursts from our sample. Their values lie within the range 1.0 × 10⁴⁷–2.7 × 10⁴⁹ erg. The possible fraction of the flares from magnetars in our sample of short GRBs is discussed. The SDSS sky coverage is currently insufficient to perform a similar analysis.