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Astronomy

The Anatomy of Gamma-Ray Bursts and Their Astronomical Classification

Quick fact

A single gamma-ray burst can release more energy in a few seconds than the Sun will emit in its entire 10-billion-year life, yet they are classified into two main types—short and long—based on whether the burst lasts less or more than about two seconds.

Why this is interesting

You've probably seen fireworks, but imagine an explosion so powerful it outshines the entire universe for a split second. That's a gamma-ray burst—but why do they come in two dramatically different flavors?