gamma-ray burst
noun
a short-lived, extremely luminous burst of gamma radiation from an unknown astronomical source, occurring at random positions in the sky several times a day. GRB
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gamma-ray burst
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gamma ray burst
gamma ray burstIntense high-energy electromagnetic radiation, lasting between a fraction of a second and several minutes, emanating from distant regions of the universe. Recent theory suggests that they result from supernova explosions.
gamma-ray burst
Americannoun
gamma-ray burst
British
noun
gamma ray burst
Scientific
Example Sentences
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In 2022, Swift captured this image of a gamma-ray burst from a massive star dying two billion light-years from Earth.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026
In this case, had the observations been performed even just a day later, there would not have been such strong proof that this was indeed a magnetar and not a gamma-ray burst.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 24, 2024
Researchersexamined the exceptionally bright gamma-ray burst GRB 230307A, which was caused by a neutron star merger.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2023
While AT2021lwx isn't actually as bright as the gamma-ray burst GRB 221009A spotted by astronomers in 2022, this event that erupted from 2.4 billion light-years away lasted for just ten hours after detection.
From Scientific American ● May 16, 2023
The gamma-ray burst would have stripped away the Earth’s ozone layer causing intense ultraviolet radiation from the sun and may account for climate changes observed at the time.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
Measurements show that this distant supernova closely matches the brightness and spectral features of SN 1998bw, a well known supernova linked to a gamma ray burst that exploded much closer to Earth.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 28, 2025
"In fact, this was one of the narrowest jets seen for a gamma ray burst so far, which gives us a hint as to why the afterglow appeared as bright as it did".
From BBC ● Apr. 12, 2024
Their own examinations suggest the chances of some bright entity close to Earth mimicking a gamma ray burst to be one in 1 trillion or less.
From Science Magazine ● Oct. 4, 2021
Today, scientists believe that a gamma ray burst is the final breath of a dying star and the birth of a stellar-mass black hole.
From New York Times ● Apr. 10, 2019
“It said, ‘This gamma ray burst has an interesting friend.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 16, 2017
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