Repeated Gamma-Ray Burst from Distant Galaxy Puzzles scientists
WASHINGTON – Astronomers are baffled by a powerful gamma-ray burst originating from a galaxy billions of light-years away that has repeated multiple times, a phenomenon rarely observed adn challenging existing theories about the origins of these energetic events. The burst, detected initially on October 22, 2023, and continuing with subsequent flares, is prompting a flurry of observations from telescopes around the globe.
Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most powerful electromagnetic events known to occur in the universe,releasing as much energy in seconds as the sun will over its entire 10 billion-year lifespan. While most GRBs are thought to be singular events linked to the collapse of massive stars, this repeating burst suggests a different, perhaps more complex, origin. Understanding these bursts provides crucial insight into the distant universe and the conditions of the first stars.
“None of us can plan what proposals to put in for, what telescopes to use, because we don’t know what we’ll even be finding anymore,” said Dr. Andrew Levan, an astrophysicist involved in the research.
GRBs act as ”a lighthouse to the distant Universe saying ‘look here,'” Levan explained in an email. “We can use them to study really distant objects.” This particular burst’s repetition allows scientists a unique prospect to study its evolution and the environment surrounding its source galaxy.
the burst is being used as an extreme laboratory in space, according to Dr. Martin-Carrillo,allowing researchers to test basic physics like electromagnetism,particle physics,and Albert Einstein‘s theory of relativity. “their huge energy output means that we can detect them across the full Universe,” he wrote, “and thus, they can provide a unique window into the early universe and the first stars that were produced.”
Currently, the sun is estimated to be 4.6 billion years old. Further analysis of the repeating GRB is underway, with scientists hoping to unlock the secrets behind its unusual behavior and refine our understanding of these cosmic powerhouses.
