The brightest gamma-ray burst ever observed, stunning scientific instruments with its brilliance, just got even more interesting.
First detected in October 2022, the eruption, designated GRB 221009, outstripped all previous cosmic explosions by astonishing magnitude. The event earned the nickname BOAT, short for “Brightest of All Time”.
Scientists are investigating the factors that contribute to the extraordinary brightness of this gamma-ray burst, and they may have made a discovery. they determined that the explosion ejected a jet of unprecedented structuredragged a significant amount of stellar material with it.
Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) extraordinarily powerful explosionsIt releases more energy in seconds than our sun emits in its entire lifetime. They occur during the formation of black holes, when a supermassive star collapses, releasing dense jets of matter that can be observed millions of light-years away.
Because of their incredible brightness, these explosions offer scientists a glimpse into the early stages of star formation and the evolutionary nature of the universe.
By studying these gamma-ray bursts at extremely high redshifts, scientists can learn about early star formation, the surrounding environment, the presence of different elements at that time, and the progression of star formation throughout cosmic history.
Direct observation of gamma-ray bursts is not possible. They are detected when ejected by a jet of hot gas expelled during explosions. It is normal for the Afterglow to fade quickly, but the BOAT lingered for a long time, making researchers curious. A recent analysis published in the scientific journal Science Advances offers an explanation for this phenomenon.
Scientists previously believed these jets had a consistent shape similar to an ice cream cone; it was characterized by compactness and directionality, with the flare remaining behind the leading edge as it spread throughout the universe.
However, the new analysis suggests that the BOAT jet exhibits a more disordered structure radiating from a central core with wider, angled sides.
It was believed that when the jet was ejected, it interacted with the star material, interrupting its flow. This mixing of the jet with the surrounding environment changed its structure and energy output.
The analysis shows that the most extreme bursts defy standard physics that governs typical gamma-ray bursts.
Source: Tec Mundo

I’m Blaine Morgan, an experienced journalist and writer with over 8 years of experience in the tech industry. My expertise lies in writing about technology news and trends, covering everything from cutting-edge gadgets to emerging software developments. I’ve written for several leading publications including Gadget Onus where I am an author.