Shading and smothering of gamma-ray bursts

David Eichler*, Amir Levinson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

GRB 980425 is distinctive in that it seems to be associated with SN 1998bw, has no X-ray afterglow, and has a rounded, structureless, single-peak light curve and a relatively soft spectrum. The supernova is itself unusual in that its expansion velocity exceeds c/6. We suggest that many of these features can be accounted for with the hypothesis that we observe the gamma-ray burst along a penumbral line of sight that contains mainly photons that have scattered off ejected baryons. The hypothesis suggests a baryon-poor jet existing within a baryon-rich outflow. The sharp distinction can be attributed to whether or not the magnetic field lines thread an event horizon. Such a configuration suggests that there will be some nonthermal acceleration of pickup ex-neutrons within the baryon-poor jet. This scenario might produce observable spallation products and neutrinos.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)L117-L120
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume521
Issue number2 PART 2
DOIs
StatePublished - 20 Aug 1999

Funding

FundersFunder number
Alon Fellowship
Israel Science Foundation

    Keywords

    • Gamma rays: bursts
    • Gamma rays: observations
    • Gamma rays: theory

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