Gamma-Ray Bursts
| Professors: Giannios, Lyutikov Gamma-ray bursts are flashes of gamma rays related to energetic explosions from distant galaxies. They are the most luminous electromagnetic event known to occue in the universe. Bursts can last from milliseconds to minutes, but the typical bursts lasts 20-40 seconds. Gamma-ray bursts are the biggest mystery in high-energy astrophysics. Scientists have discovered afterglows from short duration bursts. These afterglows were too short to determine distance of bursts. The properties of these bursts appear to be triggered by a different physical process. |
 Artist's illustration of a bright gamma-ray burst occurring in a star-forming region. Energy from the explosion is beamed into two narrow, oppositely directed jets. |