$γ$-Ray Bursts and Neutron Star Mergers

Abstract

$γ$-ray bursts have baffled theorists ever since their accidental discovery at the sixties. We suggest that these bursts originate in merger of neutron star binaries, taking place at cosmological distances. These mergers release $\approx 10^{54}ergs$, in what are possibly the strongest explosions in the Universe. If even a small fraction of this energy is channeled to an electromagnetic signal it will be detected as a grbs. We examine the virtues and limitations of this model and compare it with the recent Compton \g-ray observatory results. We also discuss the potential application of grbs to study cosmology and show that these burst might lead to a new and independent determination of both $H_0$ and $Ω$.