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Written by spacetravel.org
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Saturday, 09 July 2005 22:44 |
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In May 2005, NASAs Swift satellite provided photographs of the afterglow of a 50-millisecond gamma ray burst (GRB), designated GRB 050509B, in a galaxy approximately 2.7 billion light-years away. This is the first time scientists have been able to detect and locate a short GRB. Within 53 seconds of the burst, Swift captured the decaying radiation. The faint X-ray afterglow had completely faded away after 200 seconds.
Astronomers believe this could be evidence of a black hole being born. GRBs are the most powerful explosions known. NASA believes they mark the creation of black holes.
Short bursts are more elusive than long bursts, which are usually caused by massive star explosions. It is believed that GRB 050509B might have been caused by two neutron stars colliding, or by a neutron star crashing into a black hole.
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