Can Fireball or Firecone Models Explain Gamma Ray Bursts?

Abstract

The observed afterglows of gamma ray bursts, in particular that of GRB 970228 six months later, seem to rule out relativistic fireballs and relativistic firecones driven by merger or accretion induced collapse of compact stellar objects in galaxies as the origin of GRBs. GRBs can be produced by superluminal jets from such events.

Comments: A short summary of the main properties of GRBs which are produced by relativistic jets from merger/AIC of compact stellar objects is included. Additional references to very recent publications