Theories of gamma-ray burst spectra

We review radiative processes in γ‐ray burst sources and discuss the implications of spectral observations. We summarize recent work on a nonthermal Compton model for γ‐ray burst spectra. We describe a new γ‐ray spectral inversion method which promises to resolve the controversy surrounding the existence of line features in γ‐ray bursts. Finally, we emphasize the importance of identifying quiescent counterparts to γ‐ray burst sources at other wavelengths, and the need to determine new, highly accurate burst locations for this purpose.