Heliospheric Origin of Gamma-Ray Bursts
Abstract
Description
Systematic variations of average observational characteristics and correlation properties between different parameters of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) with time from 1991 April to 1994 September are revealed. It is hard to explain the observed long-term variability by variations of experimental conditions. The variability of GRB properties with the time scale of months to years, together with the similarity between GRBs, solar hard X-ray flares and terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, may indicate an origin of GRBs, at least partly, within the heliosphere. Large-voltage and high-temperature pinch plasma columns produced by disruptive electrical discharges in the outer heliosphere can generate hard X-ray and gamma-ray flashes with energy spectra and spectral evolution characters consistent with that observed in GRBs.
LaTex, epsfig. 20 pages, 17 figures, replace to correct the definition of Epk and revise Figs 12-15
LaTex, epsfig. 20 pages, 17 figures, replace to correct the definition of Epk and revise Figs 12-15