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When stars reach the end of their lifespan, many undergo gravitational collapse and explode into a supernova, In some cases, they collapse to become black holes and release a tremendous amount of energy in a short amount of time. These are what is known as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), and they are one of the most powerful events in the known Universe.

Recently, an international team of astronomers was able to capture an image of a newly-discovered triple star system surrounded by a “pinwheel” of dust. This system, nicknamed “Apep”, is located roughly 8,000 light years from Earth and destined to become a long-duration GRB. In addition, it is the first of its kind to be discovered in our galaxy.

Continue reading “Massive Triple Star System Creates this Bizarre Swirling Pinwheel of Dust. And it Could be the Site of a Gamma Ray Burst” »

It’s #BlackFriday, but we don’t do much shopping in space. Instead, join us for our 6th annual #BlackHoleFriday where we’ll share awesome images and facts about black holes! https://go.nasa.gov/2FB9qQD

A star 8,000 light years from Earth is on the verge of a huge supernova explosion, which could produce the Milky Way’s first gamma-ray explosion, a dangerous and extremely energetic event.

Australian scientists at the University of Sydney discovered the rare ‘God of chaos’ star, which they say could produce the Milky Way’s first known gamma-ray burst, a lethal combination of dust and gas mixed with wind as fast as 12 million km/ph, which is one of the most extreme energetic events after the Big Bang.

They all contain silica, a mineral that’s widespread on Earth and in space.

Using NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope, researchers found that the material is produced by the massive explosions of stars. Details: https://go.nasa.gov/2r6Zq7P

Quasars powered by supermassive black holes have been unexpectedly vanishing. Scientists have started to figure out why.

When a massive star somewhere in our galaxy runs out of fuel, it collapses and explodes in a supernova.

The death of that star is the birth of a neutron star: one of the densest known objects in the universe:

With the power to unleash as much energy in 10 seconds as the Sun does in its entire lifetime, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most energetic events in the universe, second only to the Big Bang itself. Given how sudden they are, we don’t usually get any warning, but now astronomers have spotted the telltale signs of a star system that could blow its lid any moment – and it’s far too close to Earth for comfort.

According to a recent paper, the Earth is caught directly in the crosshairs of a cosmic hurricane. A swarm of nearly 100 stars, accompanied by an even greater amount of dark matter, is aimed directly at our stellar neighborhood and there’s nothing we can do to stop it; in fact, the vanguard is already upon us. This sounds like a perfect summer blockbuster movie, starring The Rock and Chris Pratt, or maybe Scarlett Johansson and Charlize Theron.

No one really knows what dark energy is, beyond the fact that it makes up two-thirds of everything – but the signs are that it’s growing stronger.