The closest-ever observation of a gamma-ray burst has yielded a result that challenges current theories of how the brightest, most energetic explosions in the Universe originate. The opportunity arose when the High Energy Stereoscopic System, (HESS) a specialised observatory based in Namibia, and co-founded by DIAS, detected a gamma-ray burst much closer than usual – 1 billion light-years away. The scientists tracked the gamma-ray burst called GRB 190829A for three consecutive nights over 54 hours. This was a big help, as astronomers often struggle to lock in and observe a gamma-ray burst after it is detected. The afterglow is the name for what astronomers observe after the initial burst of high-energy gamma-rays has subsided.

Source: The Irish Times June 04, 2021 16:39 UTC