Where to Now?
Astronomers’ heads were set to spinning when they considered how much energy was liberated in such a brief span of time in a typical GRB. What process could make such titanic explosions? Thus, while one question, the distance to GRBs, had been answered, another one had been raised. Since the 1990s, huge advances have been made in understanding the cosmic physics behind these GRBs. Most astronomers now believe that, like supernovae, GRBs result from the death of a massive star. NASA’s Computational Technologies Project has led the way in the quest to understand stellar death on so phenomenal a scale, providing researchers with advanced simulations to study the nature of the explosions, and the physics that underlies them.
Be sure to experiment with this Interactive to learn firsthand how flux, distance, and brightness are related. Then, be move on to the Gamma Ray Bursts II Interactive, to learn more about how astronomers have taken on the vexing question of hyperactive GRBs.
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