Endless Facts, One Snippet at a Time
Gamma-Ray Bursts: The Universe’s Most Violent Explosions
- Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most violent explosions known, releasing colossal energy in seconds.
- A single long GRB can emit more energy than the Sun will produce in its entire lifetime.
- Long GRBs are linked to massive stars collapsing into black holes.
- Short GRBs often result from the merger of two neutron stars.
- GRBs were discovered by accident in the 1960s by satellites searching for nuclear tests.
- Their intense flashes last from milliseconds to minutes, followed by fading afterglows.
- GRBs are so bright they can be detected from billions of light-years away.
- Powerful jets shoot out at nearly the speed of light, aimed narrowly across space.
- They provide astronomers with clues about the early universe and star death.
- Thankfully, no GRB has ever occurred close enough to threaten life on Earth.