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.