arXiv:astro-ph/0102282astro-ph
Beaming in Gamma-Ray Bursts: Evidence for a Standard Energy Reservoir
Early discovery. Linked by one identifiable commenter. This paper is outside the main ranking; a mention is not an endorsement.
Abstract
Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most brilliant objects in the Universe but efforts to estimate the total energy released in the explosion -- a crucial physical quantity -- have been stymied by their unknown geometry: spheres or cones. We report on a comprehensive analysis of GRB afterglows and derive their conical opening angles. We find that the gamma-ray energy release, corrected for geometry, is narrowly clustered around 5x10**50 erg. We draw three conclusions. First, the central engines of GRBs release energies that are comparable to ordinary supernovae, suggesting a connection. Second, the wide variation in fluence and luminosity of GRBs is due entirely to a distribution of opening angles. Third, only a small fraction of GRBs are visible to a given observer and the true GRB rate is at least a factor of 500 times larger than the observed rate.
Probably not from one of these magnetar quakes. The one described in the articled released 10^39 J of x-rays; the typical gamma-ray burst is estimated to be 10^44 J, and moreover, concentrated in a narrow beam. If you're in the path of a GRB, it's looks as bright as a 10^45…
throwaway_yy2DiView on HNParent context