Hubble Studies High-Energy Gamma Ray Burst
Gamma-ray bursts are the most powerful explosions in the Universe.
They emit most of their energy in gamma-rays, light which is much more energetic than the visible light that we can see with our eyes.
New observations from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have investigated the nature of the powerful gamma-ray burst GRB 190114C by studying its environment.
In January 2019, an extremely bright and long gamma-ray burst was detected.
This is the highest energy emitted observed to date: 1Tera electron volt - about one trillion times more energy per photon than visible light.
Hubble’s observations suggest that this particular burst displayed such powerful emission because the collapsing star was sitting in a very dense environment.
This new observation is an important step forward in our understanding of gamma-ray bursts and their immediate surroundings.
Translated by Bethany Downer.