On a Possible Gamma-Ray Burst–Supernova Time Sequence

Abstract

The data from the Chandra satellite on the iron emission lines in the afterglow of GRB 991216 are used to give further support to the theory that links the origin of the energy of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) to the extractable energy of electromagnetic black holes (EMBHs), leading to an interpretation of the GRB-supernova correlation. Following the relative spacetime transformation paradigm and the interpretation of the burst structure paradigm, we introduce a paradigm for the correlation between GRBs and supernovae. The following sequence of events is shown as kinematically possible and consistent with the available data: (1) the GRB-progenitor star first P_1 collapses into an EMBH; (2) the proper GRB and the peak of the afterglow (the extended afterglow peak emission) propagate in interstellar space until the impact on a supernova-progenitor star P_2 at a distance ≤ 2.6 x 10^17 cm and they induce the supernova explosion; and (3) the accelerated baryonic matter pulse, originating the afterglow, reaches the supernova remnants 18.5 hr after the supernova explosion and gives rise to the iron emission lines. Some considerations of the dynamical implementation of the paradigm are presented. The concept of an induced supernova explosion, introduced here specifically for the GRB-supernova correlation, may have a more general application in relativistic astrophysics.