Batse gamma-ray burst line search. III. Line detectability

Authors

D. L. Band, University of California, San Diego
L. A. Ford, University of California, San Diego
J. L. Matteson, University of California, San Diego
M. S. Briggs, The University of Alabama in Huntsville
W. S. Paciesas, The University of Alabama in Huntsville
G. N. Pendleton, The University of Alabama in Huntsville
R. D. Preece, The University of Alabama in Huntsville
D. M. Palmer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
B. J. Teegarden, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
B. E. Schaefer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-1995

Abstract

We evaluate the ability of the BATSE spectroscopy detectors to detect the absorption lines observed by Ginga in gamma-ray burst spectra. We find that BATSE can detect the 20.6 keV line in the S1 segment of GB 870303 with a detection probability of ∼1/4 in nearly normal incident bursts, with the probability dropping off to nearly 0 at a burst angle of 50°; the lines at 19.4 and 38.8 keV in GB 880205 have a high detection probability in BATSE up to burst angles of 75°. In addition, we calculate detection probabilities for these two line types as a function of signal-to-noise ratio and burst angle for use in detailed comparisons between BATSE and Ginga. Finally, we consider the probability averaged over the sky of detecting a line feature with the actual array of BATSE detectors on CGRO.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Astrophysical Journal

First Page

289

Last Page

301

Recommended Citation

Band, D., Ford, L., Matteson, J., Briggs, M., Paciesas, W., Pendleton, G., Preece, R., Palmer, D., Teegarden, B., & Schaefer, B. (1995). Batse gamma-ray burst line search. III. Line detectability. Astrophysical Journal, 447 (1), 289-301. https://doi.org/10.1086/175874