R. B. Wilson

Discovery of Intense Gamma-Ray Flashes of Atmospheric Origin

Detectors aboard the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory have observed an unexplained terrestrial phenomenon: brief, intense flashes of gamma rays. These flashes must originate in the atmosphere at altitudes above at least 30 kilometers in order to escape atmospheric absorption and reach the orbiting detectors. At least a dozen such events have been detected over the past 2 years. The photon spectra from the events are very hard (peaking in the high-energy portion of the spectrum) and are consistent with bremsstrahlung emission from energetic (million—electron volt) electrons. The most likely origin of these high-energy electrons, although speculative at this time, is a rare type of high-altitude electrical discharge above thunderstorm regions.

Observations of 4U 1700-37 with BATSE

The eclipsing binary X-ray source 4U 1700-37 has been continually monitored by the BATSE experiment on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory since the spring of 1991. Using source measurements at times of Earth occultation, we observe an average (uneclipsed) flux of 0.23 crab in the 20-120 keV band. The flux is highly variable, with occasional flaring behavior on timescales from hundreds of seconds to several hours and intensities as bright as 1 crab. The uneclipsed spectrum is well represented by an optically thin thermal bremsstrahlung model with a temperature of 25 keV independent of source intensity or orbital phase. An upper limit of 4% on the pulse fraction has been obtained for pulse periods between 2 and 700 s. Average orbital light curves from almost 1000 days of occultation measurements have been constructed. These profiles are used to measure: (1) the eclipse semiangle, Theta(sub E) = 28.6 deg +/- 2.1 deg in the 20-120 keV band, and (2) the decrease in orbital period, P(dot)/P = -(3.3 +/- 0.6) x 10(exp -7) 1/ yr. Estimates of system physical parameters are obtained using Monte Carlo simulations to propagate errors in measured and assumed parameters. For the X-ray source mass we find M(sub x) = 2.6(sub -1.4)(sup +2.3) solar mass, and for the mass and radius of the optical companion, M(sub 0) = 30(sub -7)(sup +11) solar mass and R(sub 0) = 18(sub -2)(sup +2) solar radius.

Searching gamma-ray bursts for gravitational lensing echoes - Implications for compact dark matter

The first available 44 gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the Burst and Transient Source Experiment on board the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory have been inspected for echo signals following shortly after the main signal. No significant echoes have been found. Echoes would have been expected were the GRBs distant enough and the universe populated with a sufficient density of compact objects composing the dark matter. Constraints on dark matter abundance and GRB redshifts from the present data are presented and discussed. Based on these preliminary results, a universe filled to critical density of compact objects between 10 exp 6.5 and 10 exp 8.1 solar masses are now marginally excluded, or the most likely cosmological distance paradigm for GRBs is not correct. We expect future constraints to be able either to test currently popular cosmological dark matter paradigms or to indicate that GRBs do not lie at cosmological distances.

Observation of GX 339-4 hard state outbursts in 1991 and 1992

Two hard state (X-ray low state) outbursts in the GX 339-4 system in 1991 June-October and 1992 September-1993 January were detected and monitored by the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO). The outbursts were remarkably similar in both temporal and spectral aspects. The spectrum in the 20-300 keV band evolves from a hard, Comptonized shape to a steeper (alpha approximately equals -3) power law during each outburst.

High-resolution observations of gamma-ray line emission from SN 1987A

Observations of SN 1987A made with a balloon-borne gamma-ray spectrometer comprising an array of high-purity germanium detectors on October 29-31, 1987 are presented. High resolution data, typically 2.5 keV at 1.33 MeV, were obtained for two transists of the supernova with interspersed background data. A preliminary estimation of line flux is presented. It is found that there is evidence of dynamical broadening of the 847 keV line. It is suggested that this line may be an emission from the first excited state of Fe-56 due to the radioactive decay of Co-56 providing evidence for nucleosynthesis in the supernova. 15 references.

Observation of a Long-Term Spin-up Trend in 4U 1538–52

The high-mass X-ray pulsar 4U 1538-52 has been continually monitored by the BATSE (Burst and Transient Source Experiment) on Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory. These observations permit the construction of long-term pulse frequency and intensity histories. The frequency history reveals that a reversal of the long-term trend in the accretion torque, from spinning down to spinning up, has occurred, probably in 1988. This is the first time a long-term change is known to have occurred for this source. The magnitude of the average | /ν |~10−11 s-1 over an interval of ~5 yr is similar during spin-down and spin-up. Shorter term pulse frequency variations of either sign are also observed. The power density spectrum of fluctuations in angular acceleration is consistent with white noise on timescales from 16 to 1600 days. It can be well fit with a power law with a power-law index of 0.10 ± 0.21 and white noise strength of (7.6 ± 1.6) × 10-21(Hz s-1)2 Hz-1. These observations are also used to set 95% confidence level lower and upper limits on the rate of orbital period change, -3.9

The frequency of weak gamma-ray bursts

A search for weak gamma-ray bursts was conducted using a sensitive balloon-borne detector. One burst was detected in 64 hr of observation. The upper limit to the burst rate is 2300 bursts/yr above 6 x 10 to the -7th ergs/sq cm for simple spatial distribution models. Comparison with satellite results indicates that the slope of the log N-log S curve can be no steeper than -1 between 10 to the -4th and 10 to the -6th ergs/sq cm. A detailed procedure for calculating detector sensitivity to bursts is provided. 18 references.

High‐resolution observations of gamma‐ray line emission from SN 1987A

A balloon‐borne gamma‐ray spectrometer comprising an array of high‐purity germanium (HPGE) detectors was flown from Alice Springs, Australia, on October 29–30–31, norminally 250 days after the observed neutrino pulse. High‐resolution data, typically 2.5 keV at 1.33 MeV, for two transists of the supernova SN 1987A were obtained along with interspersed background data. A significant net flux of gamma rays with energy 847 keV was observed from the direction of SN 1987A on each transit. No prominent gamma‐ray features were seen at other energies, although data analysis is still in progress. A preliminary estimate of the line flux at 847 keV is ∼5×10−4 photons cm−2 s−1 with statistical significance greater than three sigma. This line may be interpreted as emission from the first excited state of 56Fe due to the radioactive decay of 56Co, providing strong evidence for nucleosynthesis in the supernova. No emission was seen from the second excited state of 56Fe at 1238 keV. A preliminary upper limit for the 1238‐...

BATSE's sky sensitivity map

The Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) detects any γ‐ray burst not obscured by the earth and intense enough to produce a sufficiently strong signal in at least two of its eight large area NaI detectors (LADs). For a given intensity, a LAD records a stronger signal from a source which directly faces it than from a source to its side. Thus, BATSE’s detection of a γ‐ray burst may depend upon the burst’s direction. We discuss the effect of this uneven exposure to the sky on the instrument’s measurement of the distribution of γ‐ray burst directions and intensities, and we describe our method of accounting for the effect.

Observation of a Long-Term Spin-up Trend in 4U 1538-52

The high mass x-ray pulsar 4U1538-52 has been continually monitored by the BATSE (Burst and Transient Source Experiment) on CGRO (Compton Gamma-ray Observatory). The frequency history reveals that a reversal of the long term trend in the accretion torque, from spinning down to spinning up, has occurred, probably in 1988. This is the first time a long term change is known to have occurred for this source. The magnitude of the average |ν/ν|∼10−11s−1 over an interval of ∼5 years is similar during spin-down and spin-up. Shorter term pulse frequency variations of either sign are also observed. The power density spectrum of fluctuations in angular acceleration is consistent with white noise on timescales from 16 to 1600 days. It can be well fit with a power law with power law index 0.10±0.21 and white noise strength (7.6±1.6)×10−21(Hz/s)2Hz−1.