Colloquium Detail

Gamma-ray Bursts: Observations and Theories

Date: 10/29/2001

Vahe' Petrosian
Professor, Stanford

Accurate angular positions found by BeppoSAX satellite for several gamma-ray bursts has allowed finding of optical counterparts and determination of their redshifts and distances. This clarifies and constrains the basic models and physical conditions to a degree that we can now begin to address some of the details of the models, such as the emission mechanisms, the acceleration of the particles and the nature of the progenitors. After a brief historical review the speaker will summarize the observations and outline the steps required for answering the above theoretical questions.