SN 1998bw--GRB 980425: A supernova explosion with a close massive companion?

Abstract

Some gamma ray bursts may be produced by supernovae exploding in close massive binary systems (type Ib/c supernovae) as suggested by the recent observation of SN 1998bw/GRB 980425. We propose that high energy radiation observed in such gamma ray bursts may be produced by synchrotron radiation of electrons accelerated by 1st order Fermi acceleration at a quasi-stationary shock in the high velocity SN ejecta colliding with the companion star or some other nearby massive object. Nuclei would also be accelerated, and could give rise to an observable fluence of high energy neutrinos at Earth. This paper has been withdrawn by the authors following evidence that SN 1998bw and GRB 980425 are two distinct sources.