Gravitational scattering of asteroids onto neutron stars as a cause of γ-ray bursts

We propose a mechanism by which asteroids may be scattered onto neutron stars causing impulsive and perhaps all γ-ray bursts. Asteroids which remain bound to the neutron star after it is formed can, through close encounters with planets, enter a region of magnetic drag near the star. This region is larger than the star's collisional cross section; it is approx.1010 cm in radius and hence produces an interesting rate if even only a small fraction of all neutron stars are responsible for these bursts. We have interpreted the 1979 March 5 bursts in this context and can satisfy all of the observational constraints except for its suggested association with N49 in the LMC. Our model predicts that γ-ray bursts have a low luminosity (1035 ergs s-1) X-ray precursor of fairly long duration