Optical radiation associated with gamma-ray bursts

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (29) References (15) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Optical radiation associated with gamma-ray bursts. London, R. A. ; Cominsky, L. R. Abstract Calculations are made of the approximate characteristics of the reprocessed optical radiation resulting from the absorption of a gamma-ray burst by a nearby star. The overall reprocessing time scale, including contributions from gamma-ray transfer and diffusion of the optical radiation, is estimated. It is noted that diffusive cooling occurs by either a 'self-similar' or a 'transparency' wave of postabsorption stellar surface temperatures greater or less than 10,000 K, respectively. Depending on the combination of stellar and gamma-ray burst properties, the reprocessing time scale can vary from the duration of the gamma-ray burst (approximately 1 s) to the maximum calculated cooling time (approximately 1000 s). Calculations for close binary systems are made of the number of optical photons per square centimeter expected at earth as a function of the observed gamma-ray burst fluences and likely distances. It is predicted that, if all gamma-ray bursters are in close binaries, the number of detections per year by an all sky monitor of 200 photons per sq cm sensitivity will be about 100. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: December 1983 DOI: 10.1086/184171 Bibcode: 1983ApJ...275L..59L Keywords: Binary Stars; Gamma Ray Absorption; Gamma Ray Bursts; Light Emission; Stellar Radiation; Companion Stars; Gamma Ray Astronomy; Photon Beams; Radiant Flux Density; Stellar Temperature; Astrophysics full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (3)