Cosmic y-ray bursts

Abstract

Although y-ray bursts were discovered over ten years ago, the study of their temporal structure, their spectrum and their lg N against lg S distribution have still not enabled scientists to determine their origin. Since 1978, however, considerable progress has been made in the accuracy of locating bursts by triangulation methods, by using a large network of observations made by the Helios B solar-orbiting satellite, the interplanetary spacecraft Pioneer Venus and Venera 11 and 12, ISEE-C and Earth-orbiting satellites. With the great distances between these various measuring points, it can be hoped that an accuracy of the order of one minute of arc will be attained for many events observed in 1979 and 1980. This accuracy has already been surpassed for the March 5, 1979 event. In this paper an analysis of the latest observations, and results on the exact location of the arrival directions of several bursts will be presented, along with the evidence they provide about the origin of this radiation.