Supranova events from spun-up neutron stars: An explosion in search of an observation

We consider a formation scenario for supramassive neutron stars (SMNSs) tha t takes place through mass and angular momentum transfer from a close compa nion during a low-mass X-ray binary phase, with the ensuing suppression of the magnetic held. After the end of the mass transfer phase, SMNSs will los e, through magnetic dipole radiation, most of their angular momentum, trigg ering the star's collapse to a black hole. We discuss the rate of occurrenc e of these collapses and propose that these stars, because of the baryon-cl ear environment in which the implosion/explosion takes place, are the origi nators of gamma-ray bursts.