Astronomy
Classification and Properties of Gamma-Ray Bursts
Quick fact
A typical gamma-ray burst can release more energy in 10 seconds than the Sun will emit over its entire 10-billion-year lifetime.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a single explosion that outshines an entire galaxy for a few seconds—these are gamma-ray bursts. How can the universe produce such extreme flashes, and what do they tell us about the cosmos?