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Astrophysics

A puzzling γ-ray burst

Nature volume 480, pages 47–48 (2011)Cite this article

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The population of γ-ray bursts is sometimes enriched by perplexing events that challenge established theoretical models. Two teams get to grips with understanding one such event — the 'Christmas' burst. See Letters p.69 & p.72

Gamma-ray bursts strike Earth's atmosphere from random directions in space about twice a day. In 1997, the discovery1 of the emission, or afterglow, that follows the prompt release of γ-rays placed their progenitors in remote galaxies. The mechanisms put forward to explain the bursts and their afterglows are complex and differ from one to the next. Any theory for the origin of γ-ray bursts must account for both the commonalities and the differences between them. Writing in this issue, Campana et al.2 (page 69) and Thöne et al.3 (page 72) use two completely different models to explain the especially unusual 'Christmas' γ-ray burst, so dubbed because it occurred on Christmas Day 2010.

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References

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  1. Enrico Costa is at IASF-Roma, INAF, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Roma, Italy.,

    Enrico Costa

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  1. Enrico Costa
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Correspondence to Enrico Costa.

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Costa, E. A puzzling γ-ray burst. Nature 480, 47–48 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/480047a

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