Illustration of a Gamma-ray Burst (GRB) | NASA Goddard

Illustration of a Gamma-ray Burst (GRB) | NASA Goddard

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most luminous explosions in the cosmos. This illustration shows the ingredients of a long gamma-ray burst, the most common type. The core of a massive star (left) has collapsed, forming a black hole that sends a jet of particles moving through the collapsing star and out into space at nearly the speed of light. Radiation across the spectrum arises from hot ionized gas (plasma) in the vicinity of the newborn black hole, collisions among shells of fast-moving gas within the jet (internal shock waves), and from the leading edge of the jet as it sweeps up and interacts with its surroundings (external shock).

Image Description: A cross-section (left) through a dying blue star shows a black hole driving jets. They fan out in orange shades. A label reads "Prompt emission," and arrows show gamma rays. At far right, a label reads "Afterglow," which emits radio through gamma rays.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

Release Date: March 28, 2023

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Stars #BlackHoles #GammaRayBursts #GRB #Cosmos #Universe #GSFC #UnitedStates #Art #Illustration #Visualization #Infographic #STEM #Education