User:Steve Quinn/Update GRB event

GRB 130427A was discovered on 27 April 2013.

Background
Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are brilliant bursts of gamma ray light, and mainstream theory suggests these are generated from the abrupt collapse of enormous stars. In other words, gamma-ray bursts are the universe's most luminous explosions. Astronomers think most occur when massive stars run out of nuclear fuel and collapse under their own weight. As the core collapses into a black hole, jets of material shoot outward at nearly the speed of light. The jets bore all the way through the collapsing star and continue into space, where they interact with gas previously shed by the star and generate bright afterglows that fade with time. If the GRB is near enough, astronomers usually discover a supernova at the site a week or so after the outburst.

Ongoing research
Of particular interest is the recent GRB 130427A, which was discovered April 27, 2013. Observations agree that it had the lengthiest gamma-ray period (lasted longest). It was also, uniquely, the greatest energy discharge ever detected up to the present day.

A collection of satellites and earth-based telescopes examined the emanations from this burst at wavelengths extending from radio waves, through visible light, to the even more energized gamma-rays. The dataset affords an unusual occasion to asses and advance models of this uncommon class of cosmic explosions. For example, "The observations of the exceptionally bright gamma-ray burst (GRB) 130427A by the Large Area Telescope aboard the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope provide constraints on the nature of these unique astrophysical sources." Furthermore, "The optical light generated simultaneously with x-rays and gamma rays during a gamma-ray burst (GRB) provides clues about the nature of the explosions that occur as massive stars collapse"


 * Also see here and here.