Gamma-ray Burst Sources Revealed

Gamma-ray Burst Sources Revealed

TNRTB Archive – Retained for reference information

Observations by a team of international astronomers give insight into the nature of short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and reveal a tool to further verify the theory of general relativity. Optical afterglows of two short GRBs show that they are distinct from their longer counterparts in that they are not accompanied by a supernova explosion. Further, short GRBs are less energetic and occur at significantly shorter distances than long GRBs. Consequently, they must have a different cause and, currently, the best explanation is the merger of two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole. The theory of general relativity predicts that any such merger event will be accompanied by gravity waves that should soon be detectable in current gravity wave instruments. If and when these gravity waves are detected, a critical component of RTB’s cosmic creation model, i.e., the theory of general relativity, will be on even more solid ground.