GALACTIC NEUTRON STARS AND GAMMA-RAY BURSTS

The association of the γ-ray burst phenomenon with Galactic neutron stars is investigated statistically, and the distance to presently observable γ-ray bursts is constrained. This is done by calculating the spatial distribution and kinematic properties of a sample of Population I neutron stars and comparing their properties to those of observed γ-ray bursts. Both brightness distribution and angular distribution on the celestial sphere are employed. Current observations suggest negligible correlation on small angular scales, large-scale isotropy, and a radial distribution that is approximately uniform to the distances currently observed. We conclude that the distribution of Population I neutron stars is consistent with current observations if γ-ray bursts occur continuously throughout the neutron star lifetime and if the current sampling depth is at least ∼150 pc but not more than ∼2 kpc.