The unique cosmic event of 1979 March 5

The transient gamma-ray burst observed on March 5, 1979 by the nine spacecraft forming the interplanetary gamma-ray burst network is discussed. Measurements reveal the event to be unlike any previously observed gamma-ray burst or X-ray burster, with a maximum intensity greater than several thousandths erg/sq cm per sec, a rise time of less than 200 microsec, a narrow and featureless initial spike and a regular 8-sec oscillation with a compound pulse shape. The source of the transient has been localized to a region including the supernova remnant N 49 in the Large Magellanic Cloud, at a distance of 55 pc, and a ratio of X-ray point-source steady state to transient emission of less than 10 to the -9th was obtained. The identification of the burst source with the supernova remnant at that distance would require an enormous source output if it was radiated isotropically, and substantially less if beaming is present. Alternatively, the event could be explained by a nearby, invisible neutron star.