Are the Radiative Properties of Long Gamma-Ray Bursts Universal?

Abstract

It is noted that the Liang-Zhang correlation can be accounted for with the particular viewing angle interpretation proposed by us earlier. The Ghirlanda correlation, recently generalized by Nava et al. to a wind profile, can be accounted for by the viewing angle interpretation accordingly generalized to a wind profile. Most of the scatter in the spectra and time-integrated brightness in gamma-ray bursts can thus be accounted for by variation in two parameters, (1) the viewing angle and (2) the jet opening angle, with very little variation in any other intrinsic parameters. The scatter in apparent isotropic equivalent radiated energy and other parameters is reduced by a factor of order 30 when each of these parameters is considered. Possible difficulties with alternative explanations are briefly discussed. It is also noted that the relative scatter in the Amati and Ghirlanda correlations suggests certain conclusions about the inner engine.