GRB 140903A gamma-ray burst, illustration. This event is the aftermath of a neutron star merger, producing a gamma-ray burst (GRB). At centre is a com
GRB 140903A gamma-ray burst, illustration. This event is the aftermath of a neutron star merger, producing a gamma-ray burst (GRB). At centre is a compact object, either a black hole or a massive neutron star, with an accretion disc (red) of material left over from the merger. Energy from this in-falling material drives the GRB jet (yellow). A wind of particles (orange) is blowing away from the disc, while material ejected (blue) from the compact object is expanding at very high speeds of about one tenth the speed of light. This GRB, observed by the Chandra X-ray Observatory, is in a galaxy about billion light years from Earth, in the constellation Corona Borealis. Image published in 2016.
Size: 5220px × 3378px
Photo credit: © NASA/CXC/M.WEISS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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