GAMMA-RAY BURSTS AND RADIO PULSAR GLITCHES

We present upper limits to gamma-ray fluxes produced in conjunction with a radio pulsar glitch. The glitch occurred on the Vela pulsar on 1988 December 24 and was the first to be observed as it occurred. Sensitive gamma-ray burst detectors aboard the Phobos 2 spacecraft were operating at this time, but recorded no significant burst at the time of the glitch. We conclude that if a gamma-ray burst was generated in the energy range to which the Phobos detectors were sensitive (6 keV-1.4 MeV), and if it was not beamed away from the spacecraft, the efficiency of glitch energy conversion into gamma-rays could not have exceeded 10(-4).