The gamma‐ray burst spatial distribution logN(≳S) vs logs and N(≳S,1^II,b^II) vs s

Gamma‐ray burst distance scales are reviewed. Most observations are inconsistent with metagalactic (D≳30 Mpc) or extragalactic (100 Kpc <D<30 Mpc) distances. For Galactic distances (D<100 Kpc) disks or a conventional halo are improbable. The possibility that bursts occupy the Galaxy’s massive extended halo (MEH) is examined. Such distributions provide the best fit to the data. MEH bursts are characterized by a maximum burst luminosity L₂(≳30 keV)≤10⁴² ergs, an intrinsic luminosity distribution peaked toward low luminosity and having a range of ∼100, and a Galactic center burst rate density n₀(0)∼10¹¹ pc⁻³‐yr⁻¹. The total Galactic burst rate is ∼400 yr⁻¹ and the nearest burst source should lie between 5 and 1.4 Kpc for burst repetitions of 1 to 50 yrs. The high burst luminosity suggests bursts in M31 may be visible near current thresholds, i.e., ∼185 yr⁻¹ with S≳10⁻⁸ ergs‐cm⁻². A 3σ detection of M31 should be possible with one year of observation using a threshold of 10⁻⁷ ergs‐cm⁻².