TP-29

Directly Testing Predictions of the External Shock Model with BATSE Time-Resolved Spectra

Anthony Crider (NRC/NRL), Charles Dermer (NRL)

The external shock model has had much success at reproducing gamma-ray burst afterglows. Economy of hypothesis favors applying this model to the prompt gamma-ray emission as well. The external shock model makes clear predictions about both the time histories and spectral evolution of gamma-ray bursts. Here we test the latter using the observed linear decrease of E_pk with respect to energy fluence in several bright gamma-ray bursts. We also confront the spectral indices predicted by the external shock model to occur within three energy bands with those actually observed in BATSE bursts.