Gamma-ray burst
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A gamma-ray burst is a brief, extremely energetic flash of gamma radiation originating in a distant galaxy. Bursts can release enormous amounts of energy in seconds and are followed in many cases by fading afterglows at X-ray, optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths.
Long-duration bursts, generally lasting more than about two seconds, are associated with the collapse of massive stars and often accompany broad-lined type Ic supernovae. Short-duration bursts are linked mainly to mergers involving neutron stars.
The initial gamma rays are thought to arise from narrow, ultra-relativistic jets. Afterglows are produced as the jets interact with surrounding material and decelerate.
Gamma-ray bursts are detected by space observatories that rapidly alert other telescopes. They are used to study black-hole and neutron-star formation, heavy-element production, relativistic physics, star formation, and the distant universe.
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- Source / publisher: Wikipedia
- URL type: WWW
- Credits: Wikipedia
- URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma-ray_burst