Scattering atmospheres near gamma-ray burst sources

We show that scattering atmospheres exist in the magnetospheres of luminous compact objects from considerations of resonance effects in magnetic Compton scattering.1 These regions of stable equilibria are formed by a balance between the force of gravity and resonant Compton scattering. We calculate the structure of radiation‐pressure supported atmospheres for neutron stars with different magnetic field strengths and surface temperatures. We propose that the narrow cyclotron absorption lines observed in gamma‐ray burst spectra may be formed by these atmospheres.