Stars often fall into black holes, and now it seems the opposite can also occur, producing an extra long-lasting explosion as the star is consumed from within

A black hole that was eaten by a star seems to have gotten revenge by consuming the star from the inside, producing a gamma-ray burst spotted about 9 billion light-years from Earth.

The burst, called GRB 250702B, was first spotted by NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope in July. Such bursts are bright flashes caused by jets fired out from energetic events, such as massive stars collapsing into black holes or neutron stars merging, and they usually last no more than a few minutes.

GRB 250702B, however, lasted for 25,000 seconds – or about 7 hours – making it the longest-known gamma-ray burst. Scientists had struggled to explain it, but Eliza Neights at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre in the US and her colleagues now suggest an unusual and rare possibility.

  • finitebanjo@piefed.worldEnglish
    21·
    3 days ago

    Such bursts are bright flashes caused by jets fired out from energetic events, such as massive stars collapsing into black holes or neutron stars merging, and they usually last no more than a few minutes.

    Doesn’t say.

    • MotoAsh@piefed.socialEnglish
      11·
      2 days ago

      Yes, thusly making any point about how unique this event is a demand from ignorance.

      • finitebanjo@piefed.worldEnglish
        11·
        2 days ago

        GRB 250702B, however, lasted for 25,000 seconds – or about 7 hours – making it the longest-known gamma-ray burst.

        JFC you just don’t read, do you?

        • MotoAsh@piefed.socialEnglish
          11·
          2 days ago

          You … don’t understand what I’m saying. You are genuinely fucking dumb I’m done with you.