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Can comet clouds around neutron stars explain gamma-ray bursts?The proposal of Harwit and Salpeter (1973) that gamma-ray bursts are due to impacts of comets onto neutron stars is examined further. It is assumed that most stars are formed with comet clouds similar to the Oort comet cloud which surrounds the sun, and it is suggested that there are at least four mechanisms by wich neutron stars may be formed while retaining their comet clouds: a spherically symmetric supernova explosion in an isolated star, accretion-induced collapse of a white dwarf in a cataclysmic variable with a very low mass secondary, accretion-induced collapse of a white dwarf in a wide binary with a low-mass giant companion, and coalescence of a close binary composed of two white dwarfs. Estimates are given of the cometary impact rates for such systems. It is suggested that if the wide binary scenario is correct, optical bursts may arise from the impact of comets onto the white dwarf remnant of the giant companion.
Document ID
19860044783
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Tremaine, S.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Zytkow, A. N.
(MIT Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 301
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
86A29521
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-22-009-638
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7643
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-83-07654
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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