Gamma-ray burst

A brief, extremely energetic flash of gamma rays from a distant astrophysical source. Long bursts are usually linked to massive-star collapse, while short bursts often arise from merging neutron stars.

Relativistic jet: A narrow outflow of matter moving close to the speed of light. The burst’s gamma rays are produced within jets aimed toward Earth.
GRB 990123: A 1999 gamma-ray burst whose prompt optical emission was observed while the burst was still active. Its exceptionally bright optical flash demonstrated how energetic prompt emission can be.
Vela nuclear test detection satellites: A US satellite program designed to detect nuclear explosions in space and monitor compliance with the Partial Test Ban Treaty. The Vela satellites first detected gamma-ray bursts while searching for nuclear tests.
Long gamma-ray burst: A gamma-ray burst with prompt emission lasting roughly two seconds or longer, commonly associated with massive-star collapse. Long bursts form one of the two broad populations, with different typical progenitors from short bursts.
Gamma-ray burst afterglow: The fading emission from a gamma-ray burst across X-ray, optical, and radio wavelengths. Shock waves from the jet create a longer-lived signal after the initial flash.
GRB 080319B: A 2008 gamma-ray burst visible to the unaided eye under dark skies. Its simultaneous optical and gamma-ray flash offered an unusually direct view of prompt emission.
Ray Klebesadel: An American physicist who led the team that identified the first gamma-ray bursts in Vela satellite data. Klebesadel and colleagues reported the unexpected signals in 1973.
Short gamma-ray burst: A gamma-ray burst with prompt emission lasting roughly two seconds or less, often associated with compact-object mergers. Short bursts contrast with long bursts in duration and likely progenitor.
Neutron star merger: The collision and coalescence of two neutron stars in a binary system. These mergers can produce short bursts and gravitational waves.
GRB 170817A: A short gamma-ray burst detected alongside gravitational waves from the neutron-star merger GW170817. It directly connected at least some short bursts with merging neutron stars.

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