A cosmic explosion that occurred two billion light years away from Earth and produced a pulse of intense radiation that swept through the solar system in October last year has been described by astronomers as possibly the brightest ever seen. This gamma-ray burst (GRB), known for being one of the strongest and brightest explosions in the universe, was so exceptional that it blinded most gamma-ray instruments in space. This made it impossible for astronomers to measure the real intensity of the emission, and they had to reconstruct its energy expenditure from past and present data.
The event, known as GRB 221009A, was deemed the brightest of all time since the beginning of human civilization. An analysis of 7,000 GRBs suggests that this event was 70 times brighter than any yet seen and occurs once every 10,000 years. Astronomers believe that GRB 221009A was the result of a massive star collapsing in on itself to form a black hole.
Although GRBs last mere seconds, they produce as much energy as the Sun will emit during its entire lifetime. This event produced a phenomenal amount of energy that is certainly the highest value ever recorded for a gamma-ray burst. The star would have been many times more massive than the Sun, probably 20 times as massive or more.
Astronomers believe that GRB 221009A was so bright because it was much closer to Earth compared to other known GRBs, and the beam of electromagnetic radiation happened to be pointing in the direction of the planet. However, they are yet to ascertain whether a supernova occurred in this case, as is typically associated with GRBs.
GRBs are usually followed by a shockwave that emits lower energy radiation, known as an afterglow, that gradually fades over time. The observations of the afterglow from GRB 221009A provide a unique insight into the mechanisms responsible for these transient flashes of light. There is still a lot more data to sift through, and astronomers will be looking for clues to explain the relationship between GRBs and supernovae from massive stars and the dynamics within the afterglow.
This exceptional event highlights the importance of continued observation and research of the universe to gain a better understanding of its mysteries. Astronomers are still trying to understand many aspects of such high-energy jets, and the insights gained from events like GRB 221009A provide an opportunity to uncover the secrets of the universe.