We present a comprehensive sample of all gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows with known distances, and we derive their conical opening angles based on observed broadband breaks in their light curves. Within the framework of this conical jet model, we correct for the geometry and we find that the gamma-ray energy release is narrowly clustered around ergs. We draw three conclusions. First, the centr...

Short-duration Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) (≤ 2s) have remained a mystery due to the lack of afterglow detection until recently. The models to interpret short GRBs invoke distinct progenitor scenarios. Here we present a generic analysis of short GRB afterglows, and calculate the optical lightcurves of short GRBs within the framework of different progenitor models. We show that all these optical aft...

In the double neutron star merger or neutron star-black hole merger model for short GRBs, the outflow launched might be mildly magnetized and neutron rich. The magnetized neutron-rich outflow will be accelerated by the magnetic and thermal pressure and may form a two component jet finally, as suggested by Vlahakis, Peng & Königl (2003). We show in this work that such a two component jet model c...

The brightest giant flare from the soft γ-ray repeater (SGR) 1806-20 was detected on 2004 December 27. The isotropic-equivalent energy release of this burst is at least one order of magnitude more energetic than those of the two other SGR giant flares. Starting from about one week after the burst, a very bright (∼ 80 mJy), fading radio afterglow was detected. Follow-up observations revealed the...

We consider a gamma-ray burst (GRB) model based on an anisotropic fireball with an axisymmetric energy distribution of the form ǫ(θ) ∝ θ, and allow for the observer’s viewing direction being at an arbitrary angle θv with respect to the jet axis. This model can reproduce the key features expected from the conventional on-axis uniform jet models, with the novelty that the achromatic break time in...

The classic accepted view of the heliosphere is a quiescent, comet-like shape aligned in the direction of the Sun’s travel through the interstellar medium (ISM) extending for thousands of astronomical units (AUs). Here, we show, based on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations, that the tension (hoop) force of the twisted magnetic field of the Sun confines the solar wind plasma beyond the termina...

Relativistic outflows are common in accreting and forming black holes. Despite the enormous differences in scale, stellar-mass black holes in X-ray binaries and supermassive black holes in Galactic Nuclei produce jets with analogous properties. In both are observed two types of relativistic outflows: 1) quasi-steady compact jets with flat-spectrum, and 2) episodic large-scale ejections with ste...

A review is made of recent magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory and simulations of origin of jets from accretion disks. Many compact astrophysical objects emit powerful, highly-collimated, oppositely directed jets. Included are the extra galactic radio jets of active galaxies and quasars, and old compact stars in binaries, and emission line jets in young stellar objects. It is widely thought that t...

The hot, puffed up, post-shock region of an advective disc is the source of high energy photons and also the jets and outflows. We study the relativistic equations of motion of jets as these high energy photons interact with them. We show that the much discussed terminal velocity of jets depends on the comparative value of radiative energy density, flux and the radiative pressure. We show that ...