gamma ray bursts- still occurring?

I remember a few years ago reading about gamma ray bursts in Astronomy
magazine. Since I've only recently gotten back into astronomy, I was
wondering if the bursts were still being detected and what causes them?

Thanks,
Al

Yes, the GRBs are still occurring regularly -- IMO possibly one reason
for SETI's lack of success to date ;-)

Their cause is open to much speculation. One hot area for investigation
is looking for optical afterglows associated with these bursts.

Al Roarke wrote:

I remember a few years ago reading about gamma ray bursts in Astronomy
magazine. Since I've only recently gotten back into astronomy, I was
wondering if the bursts were still being detected and what causes them?

Thanks,
Al

Al Roarke wrote:
I remember a few years ago reading about gamma ray bursts in Astronomy
magazine. Since I've only recently gotten back into astronomy, I was
wondering if the bursts were still being detected and what causes them?

They've lost their Gee Whiz value since a theory for their source has
developed: http://www.space.com/scienceastronom...ma_990930.html
Yes, they still occur.
The big news in astronomy these days seems to be extrasolar planets.

Shawn

Shawn wrote:

Al Roarke wrote:
I remember a few years ago reading about gamma ray bursts in Astronomy
magazine. Since I've only recently gotten back into astronomy, I was
wondering if the bursts were still being detected and what causes them?

They've lost their Gee Whiz value since a theory for their source has
developed:
http://www.space.com/scienceastronom...ma_990930.html Yes,
they still occur. The big news in astronomy these days seems to be
extrasolar planets.

Shawn

I read through that article.
This part got my attention:
"The search for the source of the GRB 980326 burst was carried out at the W.
M. Keck Observatory's 10-meter telescope located atop Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
The team not only found a visible gamma-ray afterglow, they also detected a
never-before-seen rebrightening at optical wavelengths of an apparent host
galaxy located at the position of the gamma-ray burst. Eight months later,
the galaxy vanished entirely, which was also unprecedented. Nevertheless,
the unexpected rebrightening and subsequent fading of the source
corresponds to the behavior of a supernova, from its initial brilliance to
its gradual diminution in brightness. Spectra taken of the object at
different times also reinforce this theory."

What do they mean: "...Eight months later, the galaxy vanished entirely..."
Obscured? Surely they dont mean it is actually not there any more.
Eric


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"Tim Killian" wrote in message
...
Yes, the GRBs are still occurring regularly -- IMO possibly one reason
for SETI's lack of success to date ;-)



Ah! Yes, the GRB's="The Great Sterilizer" "Wiping-out a Civilization near
you.....!" Saw mention of that last Night on NOVA.

TF

I like to think of GRBs (and similar events) as the cosmic RESET button.
Plankton and cockroaches might survive, but they don't send messages or
build starships.

TF wrote:
"Tim Killian" wrote in message
...

Yes, the GRBs are still occurring regularly -- IMO possibly one reason
for SETI's lack of success to date ;-)




Ah! Yes, the GRB's="The Great Sterilizer" "Wiping-out a Civilization near
you.....!" Saw mention of that last Night on NOVA.

TF

No. Bush has them all turned off.



Al Roarke wrote:

I remember a few years ago reading about gamma ray bursts in Astronomy
magazine. Since I've only recently gotten back into astronomy, I was
wondering if the bursts were still being detected and what causes them?

Thanks,
Al

Al Roarke wrote:
I remember a few years ago reading about gamma ray bursts in
Astronomy
magazine. Since I've only recently gotten back into astronomy, I was
wondering if the bursts were still being detected and what causes
them?

Thanks,
Al

there's plenty of info to look through

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...sts%22&spell=1

still going on, well in the past - all GRB's seem to be picked up from
billions of years ago/afar