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Fast radio bursts might come from nearby stars

A new study proposes that fast radio bursts come from flaring stars in the Milky Way, contradicting previous theories of distant galactic origins. The researchers analyzed six detected bursts and found a correlation with stellar flares, suggesting a closer origin.

Glimpsing the infrastructure of a gamma-ray burst jet

Astronomers have glimpsed the infrastructure of a gamma-ray burst jet using observations from the Liverpool Telescope's RINGO2 instrument. The study reveals that light from the reverse shock wave, which drives back into the jet debris, shows strong and stable polarized emissions.

NASA sees 'watershed' cosmic blast in unique detail

Gamma-ray burst GRB 130427A was observed by NASA satellites and ground-based telescopes, revealing a spike in high-energy gamma-rays that defies expectations. The event challenged current theoretical understanding of internal and external shock waves producing these bursts.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Astronomers reveal mystery of brightest ever gamma-ray burst

Researchers from the University of Leicester used satellite and observatory data to explain an unusually bright Gamma-ray Burst (GRB) observed in April 2013. The event was found to be caused by an extremely powerful stellar explosion producing a jet of matter moving at nearly the speed of light.

Monster gamma-ray burst in our cosmic neighborhood

Astronomers have observed a monster gamma-ray burst in the relatively nearby universe, revealing a giant star with a mass 20-30 times that of the Sun and rapidly rotating. The burst was so powerful that it could be observed for several months, providing insights into the properties of the original star.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

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New survey tools unveil 2 celestial explosions

Researchers have linked a new stripped-envelope supernova, named iPTF13bvn, to its star of origin using novel astronomical survey software. The team also pinpointed the first afterglow of a gamma-ray burst that was found by the Fermi satellite.

NASA's Fermi enters extended mission

Fermi's extended mission will enable deeper studies of gamma-ray bursts, pulsars, and supermassive black holes. The telescope has already revealed giant bubbles above and below our galaxy, shedding light on the universe's most extraordinary phenomena.

Earth's gold came from colliding dead stars

Scientists found gold in a short gamma-ray burst caused by the collision of two neutron stars. The team estimates that up to 10 moon masses of gold were created and ejected during this event.

NASA's Fermi, Swift see 'shockingly bright' burst

Astronomers detected a record-breaking gamma-ray burst from a dying star in a distant galaxy, producing the highest-energy light ever recorded. The GRB, GRB 130427A, lasted for hours and was detectable by multiple telescopes on the ground and space-based observations.

Dying supergiant stars implicated in hours-long gamma-ray bursts

Three unusually long-lasting stellar explosions discovered by NASA's Swift satellite represent a previously unrecognized class of gamma-ray bursts. Dying supergiant stars hundreds of times larger than the sun are likely the cause, producing powerful jets that propel matter at nearly the speed of light.

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Strange new bursts of gamma rays point to a new way to destroy a star

A team of scientists has identified a new type of gamma-ray burst that lasts for several hours, challenging previous theories. The ultra-long bursts are thought to occur in the violent death throes of a supergiant star, with a massive explosion taking time to propagate through the star.

X-ray vision can reveal the moment of birth of violent supernovae

A team of astronomers has discovered an excess of X-ray radiation in the first few minutes of collapsing massive stars, potentially revealing the signature of the supernova shock wave. This breakthrough could enable the detection of new supernovae earlier than current methods, allowing for more precise monitoring and analysis.

Gamma-ray bursts' highest power side unveiled by Fermi telescope

Astrophysicists have uncovered new questions and clarified previous theories about gamma-ray bursts using the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope. The telescope's unique view allows it to capture the highest energy portion of these bursts, which are difficult to detect due to their brief duration and narrow radiation patterns.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Fear no supernova

Supernovas release enormous amounts of energy, but are too far away to harm Earth's ozone layer. Gamma-ray bursts could pose a threat if directed towards our planet, but estimates suggest it's unlikely to occur in the near future.

Now there's an app for NASA's Swift Observatory

The NASA Swift Observatory has released a free iPhone application that provides up-to-date information on gamma-ray burst discoveries, allowing users to track the location of Swift as it orbits Earth. The app also offers an interactive map, gallery of images, and real-time observations.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Astrophysics and extinctions: News about planet-threatening events

A new study suggests that short-hard interstellar radiation events could have a significant impact on life on Earth, depleting the ozone layer and allowing deadly ultraviolet radiation to penetrate. The rate of these events is estimated to be about once per 100 million years, with potential effects on extinctions in the fossil record.

Cosmic explosion is new candidate for most distant object in the universe

A gamma-ray burst, GRB 090429B, has been identified as a potential candidate for the most distant object in the universe at an estimated distance of 13.14 billion light years. The burst was detected by NASA's Swift satellite and is believed to be extremely likely, with a 99.3% chance, to be the most distant cosmic explosion.

Neutron stars may be too weak to power some gamma-ray bursts

A new study analyzing four extremely bright gamma-ray bursts observed by NASA's Fermi satellite suggests that these events are likely powered by black holes rather than neutron stars. The analysis found that the remnant of a long-duration burst is most likely a black hole, as it cannot produce enough energy to power a magnetar.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

NASA's Swift catches 500th gamma-ray burst

Swift has detected over 6,000 GRBs, with a 75% share of recorded bursts, offering insights into massive star deaths and the universe's structure. The spacecraft has also monitored black holes and neutron stars for high-energy radiation and conducted long-term X-ray surveys.

Astronomers find rare beast by new means

Scientists have found a supernova explosion that exhibits characteristics of a gamma-ray burst but lacks gamma rays. The discovery using the National Science Foundation's Very Large Array radio telescope promises to aid in locating more examples of these mysterious events.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Blast from the past gives clues about early universe

Astronomers use VLA to study GRB 090423, a stellar explosion 13 billion light-years away, and discover it was more energetic than typical GRBs. The team also finds that the blast expanded into a uniform gaseous medium surrounding the star, providing unique insights into the early universe.

Keck study sheds new light on 'dark' gamma-ray bursts

Most dark gamma-ray bursts are found in normal galaxies that can be detected by large ground-based optical telescopes, contradicting previous theories. The study suggests that dark bursts may represent stars that never drifted far from the dusty clouds that formed them.

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Astronomers find farthest known object

A team of astronomers has discovered the most distant object in the universe, a gamma-ray burst located approximately 13 billion light-years away. This explosive event, dubbed GRB 090423, occurred when the universe was just 630 million years old and is providing valuable insights into the early universe.

Swift Satellite records early phase of gamma ray burst

UK astronomers using NASA Swift Satellite captured an ultraviolet spectrum of a gamma ray burst just 251 seconds after its onset, marking the earliest ever recorded. This breakthrough allows for calculations of distance and brightness within hundreds of seconds and provides new insights into GRB causes and host galaxies.

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NASA's Fermi telescope sees most extreme gamma-ray blast yet

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has detected the most extreme gamma-ray burst yet, emitting energies 3,000 to 5 billion times that of visible light. The burst, GRB 080916C, occurred at a distance of 12.2 billion light-years away and is believed to be powered by an exotic massive star running out of nuclear fuel.

Gamma-ray burst offers first peek at a young galaxy's star factory

Astronomers have identified gas molecules in the host galaxy of a gamma-ray burst, providing insight into star formation when the universe was about one-sixth its present age. The study found hydrogen and carbon monoxide absorption lines, suggesting a thick molecular cloud similar to those that spawn stars in our galaxy today.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

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The hibernating stellar magnet

Astronomers have discovered a mysterious celestial object emitting visible-light flashes before disappearing. It is likely to be a missing link in the family of neutron stars, exhibiting powerful magnetic activity.

NASA satellite sees oldest-ever gamma-ray burst

The detection of GRB 080913 marks the most distant gamma-ray burst ever seen, occurring 12.8 billion light-years away. This finding reveals that the universe was less than one-seventh its present age when the star exploded.

The double firing burst

The brightest gamma-ray burst, GRB 080319B, provided a wealth of information on how stars explode. The team discovered that the jet directed towards Earth contained an ultra-fast component just 0.4 degrees across.

Brightest stellar explosion heralds new type of long-distance astronomy

A gamma-ray burst was detected as the brightest optical and infrared event ever recorded, visible to the naked eye from Earth despite its vast distance of 7.5 billion light years. The explosion occurred in a massive star 7.5 billion years ago and sent a pencil-beam of intense light on a direct collision course for Earth.

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Worldwide hunt to solve the mystery of gamma-ray bursts

Scientists from UK and international teams have been part of the Swift satellite project, which has discovered over 292 gamma-ray bursts since its launch in 2004. The satellite's rapid response capabilities have been instrumental in understanding these cosmic events, with recent discoveries pinpointing the origins of black holes.

Gamma-ray burst challenges theory

The study of gamma-ray burst (GRB) 060729 reveals a wider energy release and potential magnetar powering some GRBs. The XRT detected the GRB's afterglow for over 125 days, defying expectations.

The dark side of nature: The crime was almost perfect

Recent gamma-ray bursts suggest a new kind of cosmic explosion involving newly formed black holes swallowing parent star matter. Astronomers observe no supernovae associated with these events, which could be due to massive stars dying without producing explosions.

Astronomers discover new kind of black-hole explosion

Scientists have discovered a 'hybrid gamma-ray burst,' which exhibits properties of both long and short bursts. The burst's characteristics suggest that it may be signaling the birth of a new black hole, but its exact origin remains unclear.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Long-lasting but dim brethren of cosmic flashes

Astronomers have linked an X-ray flash to a supernova for the first time, revealing a new class of events with properties distinct from typical gamma-ray bursts. The discovery suggests the existence of dimmer but possibly more numerous cosmic flashes.

A simple survey yields a cosmic conundrum

A recent survey of galaxies observed along the sightlines to quasars and gamma-ray bursts has revealed a striking inconsistency. Galaxies appear to be four times more common in the direction of gamma-ray bursts than in the direction of quasars, contradicting basic concepts of cosmology.

Witnessing the flash from a black hole's cannibal act

Astronomers have observed two short gamma-ray bursts and confirmed that they originate from the collision of compact objects, such as neutron stars or black holes. The events released significantly less energy than typical long gamma-ray bursts.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Flashes shed light on cosmic clashes

Astronomers have discovered the first optical afterglow of a short gamma-ray burst, providing evidence for their cosmic explosion hypothesis. The findings suggest that these bursts originate from the merging of compact stars in elliptical galaxies.

Tracking the riddle of cosmic gamma rays

The MAGIC telescope has tracked a long duration gamma-ray burst, GRB050713A, in the X-ray and very high energy gamma ray band. The observation was made possible by rapid tracking of the telescope, which allowed it to start observing the source just 20 seconds after an alert from the Swift satellite.

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Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

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Naked carbon/oxygen stars linked to gamma-ray bursts

A team of astronomers suggests that Type Ic supernovae could produce gamma-ray bursts through the collapsar model, which proposes an asymmetric explosion mechanism and a jet of particles and energy. The theory is supported by observations with Keck and Subaru telescopes in Hawaii.

Robotic telescope discovery sheds new light

Astronomers have detected a unique visible light component that varies with gamma rays, suggesting a common origin for both. This finding contradicts previous theories and sheds new light on the nature of these powerful cosmic events.

Swift mission nabs its first distance measurement to star explosion

The NASA-led Swift mission has successfully measured the distances to two gamma-ray bursts, both originating from over 9 billion light years away. These direct distance measurements, achieved with Swift's Ultraviolet/OpticalTelescope (UVOT), represent a major milestone for the mission since its launch in 2004.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

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