Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Aug 1990
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1990s%26t....80..143h&link_type=abstract
Sky and Telescope (ISSN 0037-6604), vol. 80, Aug. 1990, p. 143-147.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
1
Gamma Ray Bursts, Neutron Stars, Nuclear Astrophysics, Stellar Physics
Scientific paper
Gamma-ray bursters have defied explanation since their discovery over 15 years ago. These objects are luminous for only a few seconds at a time, mostly emitting gamma rays that are hundreds of thousands or even millions of times more energetic than photons of visible light. Then they lapse back into quiescence and remain invisible at all wavelengths for many years. Their possible source of origin has ranged from nearby ordinary stars to distant active galaxies. One of several possible explanations for gamma-ray bursts involving neutron stars suggests that a neutron star slowly siphons gas from a companion onto its magnetic pole, where some of the hydrogen fuses to helium. When a critical density and temperature are reached, a thermonuclear explosion occurs, generating gamma rays. Some of this radiation heats the companion star, "reprocessing" gamma rays into a bright visible flash. NASA's Gamma Ray Observatory is planned to carry the largest array of burst sensors yet put into orbit and it will scan the gamma-ray sky for five years to come.
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