On the search for the origin of short gamma-ray bursts
Abstract
begin center Abstract end center Gamma-ray bursts appear to be the most powerful explosions in the universe Two types exist -- long ones which last for tens or hundreds of seconds and short ones that last a few milliseconds to a second There is a sufficient research evidence to show that long bursts are the death throes of massive stars in distant young and vigorously star forming galaxies while the origin of the short gamma-ray bursts has been shrouded in mystery until now In December 2005 the first study that accurately pinpoints a short gamma-ray bursts to an old galaxy implying that a population of old neutron stars are the sources of these explosion was released The advent of NASA s Swift Satellite and the rapid follow up by the ground based telescopes will no doubt help to localize the short gamma-ray bursts which are fainter than the long bursts
- Publication:
-
36th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006cosp...36.1009E