Articles tagged with Gamma Ray Bursts
Research by Dr Klaas Wiersema's team has discovered that Gamma-Ray Bursts behave differently than previously thought, challenging existing theoretical predictions. The study used observations of a GRB to rule out most existing theories and instead found evidence for circular polarisation in visible light.
A team of researchers has discovered that the afterglow from a gamma-ray burst behaves differently than expected, with 10,000 times more circularly polarised light detected. The findings provide new insights into the extreme properties of matter under shockwave conditions.
Researchers measured circular polarisation in the bright flash of light from a dying star collapsing to a black hole, giving insight into an event that occurred 11 billion years ago. This discovery challenges current understanding of Gamma-ray Bursts and suggests a more complex mechanism for their formation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mészáros was honored for his groundbreaking research on gamma-ray bursts, developing the cosmological-fireball-shock scenario that has been confirmed by observations. He is also recognized for publishing numerous papers in this field and being a leading researcher in high-energy astrophysics.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The IceCube Collaboration found no evidence of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays originating from gamma-ray bursts, challenging the long-held theory. Instead, the team suggests that active galactic nuclei may be responsible for accelerating these particles.
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.
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.
New study reveals two young galaxies at 12 billion years old with super-solar metal abundances, challenging our understanding of the universe's chemical evolution. The findings support the idea that gamma-ray bursts are associated with vigorous massive star formation and provide insights into the history of the early universe.
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.
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.
Astronomers confirm 13.14 billion light-year distance for GRB 090429B, making it contender for most distant object detected, and shedding light on the cosmos' earliest stars and galaxies.
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.
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.
Astronomers detected a record-breaking X-ray blast from beyond the Milky Way galaxy, temporarily blinding NASA's Swift space observatory. The burst, named GRB 100621A, was more than 140 times brighter than any continuous X-ray source in the sky.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Most 'dark' gamma-ray bursts are found to be similar to normal bursts with an afterglow, but with nearly all visible light obscured by patchy dust. This suggests that gamma-ray bursts may help track star formation and death in distant galaxies.
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.
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.
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.
A recent gamma-ray burst observed by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is the most extreme recorded to date, with energies exceeding those of 9,000 ordinary supernovae. The blast's tremendous power and speed make it a significant finding in the field of gamma-ray bursts.
Astrophysicist Neil Gehrels receives the Henry Draper Medal for his groundbreaking work on gamma-ray bursts and active galactic nuclei. His leadership of NASA's Swift Mission has significantly advanced astronomers' understanding of these phenomena.
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.
Researchers analyzed the spectrum of a gamma-ray burst afterglow to probe the star-forming environment of a distant galaxy. They detected molecular gas and metals comparable to those of the Sun, providing insights into active stellar nurseries in galaxies 10 billion years old.
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.
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 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.
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.
A NASA satellite has detected a record-breaking gamma ray burst explosion halfway across the universe. The explosion was seen with the naked eye from Earth, shattering previous records and providing insights into the universe's most distant objects.
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.
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.
Astronomers observe two long gamma-ray bursts that defy the consensus of supernova association, suggesting multiple ways to produce black holes and gamma-rays. The discoveries indicate a rich diversity in cosmic events and challenge the prevailing model of massive stellar death.
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.
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.
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 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.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that gamma ray bursts are rare and unlikely to occur near our solar system due to the Milky Way's metal content. The study suggests that GRBs pose no danger to life in our galaxy, dismissing theories of mass extinctions caused by these events.
Researchers have pinpointed a population of old neutron stars as the sources of short gamma-ray bursts, which are fainter and more difficult to localize than long bursts. The discovery sheds new light on these enigmatic cosmic explosions.
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.
The Swift satellite has received a "Best of What's New" award for its innovative technology, enabling rapid detection and follow-up observations of gamma-ray bursts. This breakthrough has confirmed the origin of gamma-ray bursts and helped pinpoint the birth of a special kind of black hole.
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.
A team led by Neil Gehrels' Swift science team detected the afterglow of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) with a redshift of 6.29, confirming Lamb and Reichart's earlier prediction from 1999. This discovery smashes the old distance record by 500 million light years.
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.
Researchers have found tantalizing evidence that short gamma-ray bursts are caused by the collision of old, dense neutron stars. The discovery was made using data from the Swift satellite and spectroscopy from the Keck II telescope, which pinpointed a new burst near an elliptical galaxy.
X-ray flashes and gamma-ray bursts, two powerful cosmic explosions, have long been linked in theory. New satellite data, however, suggests that these events may not be as connected as previously thought, contradicting popular theories.
Observations of SN 2003jd reveal aspherical explosion, supporting hypothesis that Type Ic supernovae can produce gamma-ray bursts. The findings also suggest that the direction-dependent shape of the oxygen line is a key indicator of an aspherical explosion.