Possible detection of a radio event correlated with a γ-ray burst

Abstract

COSMIC bursts of electromagnetic radiation, both isolated and in connection with other impulsive astrophysical phenomena, have been sought for many years1, with only one suggestive positive result2, until, in 1973, the discovery of γ-ray bursts3 of cosmic origin prompted a new series of observations4. In 1975 we started a systematic search for electromagnetic bursts at v.h.f. and u.h.f. The system, based at Medicina (Bologna, Italy), is semi-automatic and assures highly efficient data collection. Simultaneous observations at different frequencies facilitate the evaluation of disturbances of local origin and, hopefully, their isolation. Regular observations started in July 1976, and we report here our detection of a radio burst, which seems to be correlated with a γ-ray burst.