Fermi and Swift Observe Record-setting Gamma Ray Burst

symbolset writes "Phys.org shares a visual image of a 'shockingly bright' gamma ray burst observed April 27th, labelled GRB 130427A and subsequently observed by ground optical and radio telescopes. One gamma ray photon from the event measured 94 billion electron volts — three times the previous record. The burst lasted four hours and was observable for most of a day — another record. Typical duration of a gamma ray burst is from 10 milliseconds to a few minutes. Astronomers will now train optical telescopes on the spot searching for the supernova expected to have caused it — typically one is observed some few days after the burst. They expect to find one by the middle of May. The event occurred about 3.6 billion lightyears distant which is fairly close as gamma ray bursts go. Click on the GIF to view the actual burst."

Comments

Re:This may be important for quantum gravity

[Baloroth]

Really? Is slashdot now making fun of the nerds for being smart?

You must be a ton of fun at parties. In this case, the poster is actually making fun of *himself* for not being as smart as the OP (or, possibly, simply for not being educated in the field the OP is talking about), not of the OP for being smarter than him. At worst, it is a comment on how specific and arcane the language of a specific field can become to the outside observer.