Constraints on the Luminosity Function of Gamma--Ray Bursts Detected by BATSE
Session 15 -- Gamma Ray Bursts
Oral presentation, Monday, 30, 1994, 10:00-11:30

## [15.03] Constraints on the Luminosity Function of Gamma--Ray Bursts Detected by BATSE

J. M. Horack (NASA/MSFC), and A. G. Emslie (UAH)

We have utilized the BATSE--measured gamma--ray burst intensity distribution in conjunction with the general properties satisfied by integral moments to constrain significantly the permissable range of luminosities from which the observed gamma--ray bursts must be drawn. The constraints are independent of the functional form of the burst radial distribution. Given a distance independent luminosity function, the range of luminosity from which 80\$\%\$ of the observed gamma--ray bursts must be drawn may not exceed \$\sim\$6.5, with a 3--sigma upper limit of approximately 12. The finding that a substantial majority of bursts are passable standard--candles has important ramifications for many burst production models.