Determining the Gamma-Ray Burst Distance Scale: Observational Prospects
- Creators
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Harrison, Fiona A.
- Thorsett, S. E.
Abstract
The BATSE instrument on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory has demonstrated that we live near the center of an isotropic but bounded distribution of gamma-ray burst sources but has left unsettled whether the bursts occur in our own Galaxy or at cosmological distances. Because a distance and energy scale is crucial to constraining burst models, this distance ambiguity must be resolved. The key experiment that would distinguish the possibilities is a search for bursts from the halo of M31 or other nearby galaxies. We discuss the observational prospects for this test, showing that no telescope now in orbit or scheduled for launch can settle the debate, but that an experiment could be done with a low-cost, dedicated instrument.
Additional Information
© 1996 American Astronomical Society. Received 1995 July 21; accepted 1996 January 19. We thank the members of the Andromeda Science Working Group (B. Paczyński, D. Chakrabarty, W. R. Cook, C. Hailey, T. T. Hamilton, D. W. Hogg, S. R. Kulkarni, W. H. G. Lewin, P. Podsiadlowski, T. A. Prince, P. S. Ray, S. M. Schindler, and H. Tannenbaum) for their contributions to this work. F. A. H. acknowledges support from a Robert A. Millikan Fellowship.Attached Files
Published - 1996-09.pdf
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Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 46825
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20140703-212745528
- Robert A. Millikan Fellowship
- Created
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2014-07-14Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-10Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Space Radiation Laboratory
- Other Numbering System Name
- Space Radiation Laboratory
- Other Numbering System Identifier
- 1996-09